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The United Nations Human Rights Committee has strongly criticized the use of military courts in Pakistan to try civilians, calling immediate reforms to protect the due process and fair trial standard.
UN human rights body, established under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, primarily monitors its implementation by member states.
Pakistan has tried PTI members in military courts after the former prime minister was briefly arrested on corruption charges, which led to countrywide protests. Supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Imran Khan, allegedly targeted government buildings and military installations during the May 9, 2023, riots.
“The Committee remains concerned about the use of the Pakistan Army Act 1952 to prosecute civilians in military courts,” said the review document prepared by the UN body. “It is also concerned about reports that indicate a very high rate of convictions handed down by military courts.”
The committee also noted that the convicted had been sentenced to death in the majority of cases between 2015 and 2019.
“It is further concerned that military courts lack independence and that civilians tried in military courts do not benefit from the same due process guarantees as those provided for in the civilian judicial system,” it added.
The UN body expressed concern that civilians might continue to be subjected to military court jurisdiction until the top court renders a final decision, noting that Pakistan’s Supreme Court had ruled in October of last year that the military trial of civilians was unconstitutional and against international human rights standards.
