The UN Human Rights Committee will review Pakistan’s human rights record on October 17 and 18, addressing urgent concerns of rampant human rights violations including extrajudicial killings, suppression of protests, and vague blasphemy laws. Amnesty International highlights the severity of the situation and emphasizes the review as a critical opportunity for reform.
In a pivotal moment for Pakistan, the UN Human Rights Committee is set to scrutinize the nation’s disheartening human rights backdrop during its second review under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) on October 17 and 18. Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, Babu Ram Pant, emphasized the urgency of this review, stating, “Pakistan’s review comes at a crucial time for the country, as human rights violations and abuses remain rampant.” The past month has witnessed alarming extrajudicial killings linked to blasphemy, severe crackdowns on protests, the troubling enactment of the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024, and the repression of opposition figures, alongside harassment of human rights advocates like Mahrang Baloch. This review offers Islamabad a vital opportunity to confront its grim human rights scenario and devise actionable solutions to the various violations highlighted. The ICCPR, which Pakistan ratified in 2010, mandates accountability to prevent atrocities; yet, the echoes of earlier warnings from the 2017 review resonate onboard, from unaddressed violence against women to the ongoing trials of civilians in military courts and pervasive restrictions on free expression. Indeed, many issues persist – Amnesty International’s recent submission portrays a nation engulfed in escalating blasphemy-related violence and abuses facilitated by ambiguous laws. This includes military courts denying civilians the fundamental right to a fair trial, and the concerning military detention following protests on May 9, 2023. Amid calls for change, Pakistan’s new legislation, such as the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, coupled with the controversial deportation of Afghan refugees, loom ominously over the upcoming review. As the world watches, the UN committee will convene on October 17 and 18 in Geneva, allowing for public observation via a livestream on their website, as the fate of Pakistani human rights hangs perilously in the balance.
Since ratifying the ICCPR in 2010, Pakistan’s journey toward nurturing a culture of human rights has faced turbulent waters. The first review in 2017 unveiled disconcerting patterns of violence against women, rampant enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings. The trial of civilians in military courts, arbitrary censorship, and stringent limitations on international non-governmental organizations echoed severe concerns from the UN Human Rights Committee. The organization also pointed to the absence of a national refugee law as a gap needing urgent attention. Against this backdrop, Amnesty International highlights that blasphemy laws are often wielded as instruments of oppression, further complicating an already harrowing human rights landscape. As the second review approaches, the situation remains critical, marked by recent legal changes and intensified crackdowns, necessitating a thorough examination and immediate action.
As the UN Human Rights Committee prepares to evaluate Pakistan’s human rights record, it stands as a crucial juncture for the nation. Continued violations such as extrajudicial killings, suppression of protests, and the chilling impact of ambiguous blasphemy laws all underscore the urgent need for reform. The review could serve as a turning point, pressing the Pakistani government to reevaluate and amend these dire human rights issues. The actions taken post-review are poised to be vital for the future protection of freedoms and rights in Pakistan.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
