IHRF Raises Concerns Over Press Freedom and Judicial Actions in Pakistan

Kathmandu. The International Human Rights Foundation (IHRF) has expressed deep concern to the United Nations (UN) regarding recent court actions in Pakistan. The foundation stated that these actions pose a serious threat to press freedom, judicial independence, and fundamental rights.

In a statement, the IHRF objected to a Pakistani anti-terrorism court's decision to convict several Pakistani journalists and political analysts living abroad. These individuals were sentenced to long prison terms in their absence.

Those convicted include journalists Adil Raja, Shaheen Sehbai, Dr. Moeed Pirzada, Syed Akbar Hussain, Wajahat Saeed Khan, Sabir Shakir, and Syed Haider Raza Mehdi.

According to the foundation, these individuals were not informed about the cases filed against them, were denied access to evidence, and were not given a meaningful chance to defend themselves. 

The IHRF believes this is a serious violation of the judicial process, judicial independence, the Constitution of Pakistan, and international human rights obligations, specifically the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

The IHRF also noted that recent constitutional amendments passed quickly in Pakistan are weakening democratic governance and fundamental freedoms. 

The foundation recalled that UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk had previously warned that such amendments could undermine judicial independence and raise concerns about military accountability and the rule of law.

The foundation stated that using anti-terrorism laws against journalists and critics is a sign of a widespread and worrying trend of harassment. The IHRF argued that legal processes targeting exiled journalists without transparency or basic legal protections cannot be considered legitimate judicial actions.

The IHRF urged the Pakistan government to ensure fair trials and legal procedures, make written judgments public, and disclose evidence and legal grounds. 

It also called for an end to the use of anti-terrorism laws to suppress journalism and peaceful dissent. Additionally, it asked relevant UN bodies and the international community to closely monitor these developments.

Meanwhile, on January 2, a Pakistani court sentenced several journalists to life imprisonment on charges of inciting riots related to the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2023. Since these journalists live abroad, the trial was conducted in their absence. (AANI)