UN Experts Call for Release of Human Rights Defender In Pakistan » Capital News

Dec 25 – UN special rapporteurs on enforced disappearances have urged the Pakistan government to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of human rights defender Idris Khattak.

In a statement issued in Geneva, the experts condemned Mr. Khattak’s continued arbitrary detention, describing it as retaliation for his work documenting and reporting on enforced disappearances and repression of ethnic minorities in Pakistan’s northwest.

“We are dismayed by the continued arbitrary deprivation of liberty of Mr. Khattak, which clearly appears to be a direct retaliation for his human rights work,” the experts said.

Mr. Khattak, convicted and sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment by a military court in 2021, has allegedly faced serious human rights violations since being taken into military custody in November 2019.

The UN rapporteurs called for an independent, impartial, and thorough investigation into the abuses Mr. Khattak has suffered, urging Pakistan to bring those responsible, including those at command levels, to justice. They also reminded the government to comply with a Supreme Court decision declaring military trials of civilians unconstitutional.

The experts reiterated the need for accountability and adherence to human rights obligations, emphasizing that Mr. Khattak’s detention undermines international standards of justice and fairness.

About The Author

BERNARD MOMANYI

Bernard is the Editorial Director at Capital FM, with nearly two decades of experience in both print and electronic media. He holds an Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation from The Aga Khan University, Nairobi-Kenya, a Master of Arts in Communication Studies with focus on Development Communication from The University of Nairobi and a bachelor’s degree in Information Sciences from Moi University.