ISLAMABAD: Amnesty International has reiterated its position against trying civilians in the military courts, saying the right to a fair trial is a constitutional right and an obligation under Pakistan’s international human rights commitments.
Amnesty International has called on Pakistani authorities to ‘immediately reverse’ handing over of civilians to the military for trial.
“We have documented a catalogue of human right violations stemming from trying civilians in military courts in Pakistan, including flagrant disregard for due process, a lack of transparency and coerced confessions,” the Human Rights watchdog said in a tweet on Thursday. “We call upon authorities [in Pakistan] to immediately reverse this step, and to only prosecute civilians in a civilian court using ordinary criminal laws commensurate with the offence,” it added.
We have documented a catalogue of human right violations stemming from trying civilians in military courts in Pakistan, including flagrant disregard for due process, a lack of transparency and coerced confessions.
— Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) May 25, 2023
Meanwhile, chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan to protect life of former federal minister Murad Saeed.
“Honourable Chief Justice, former Federal Minister and MNA Murad Saeed has written this letter to you about his life being under serious threat. Only the Honourable Chief Justice of the Supreme Court can ensure his safety. Just like Arshad Sharif there are agencies out to kill him. I urge you to do whatever is within your means to protect his life,” he tweeted.
Earlier in the day, a Lahore anti-terrorism court allowed the handover of 16 suspects involved in the vandalizing and ransacking of Jinnah House Lahore to the commanding officer so they could be prosecuted under the army laws.
Enraged by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s arrest, party workers pillaged government and military installations on 9 May. To contain the violence and maintain law and order, the government called in the army and announced to prosecute protesters under the army laws. Many PTI workers and leaders were apprehended in a countrywide crackdown.
Honourable Chief Justice, former Federal Minister and MNA Murad Saeed has written this letter to you about his life being under serious threat.
Only the Honourable Chief Justice of the Supreme Court can ensure his safety.Just like Arshad Sharif there are agencies out to kill… pic.twitter.com/wviVTvGD4H
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 25, 2023
In the order issued today (Thursday), ATC Judge Abher Gul Khan accepted the army officer Irfan Athar’s request, who had requested for the custody of the vandals confined in Camp Jail, Lahore. They were named in two separate cases in connection with the attack on Jinnah House.
The accused include Amar Zohaib, Ali Iftikhar, Rehman, Waqas Ali, Raees Ahmad, Arzam Junaid, ex-PTI MPA Mian Muhammad Akram Usman, Faheem Haider, Muhammad Hashir Khan, Faisal Irshad, Ali Raza, Muhammad Arsalan, Muhammad Umair, Muhammad Raheem, Muhammad Bilal Hussain, and Hassan Shakir.
