The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) recently expressed serious concern over the violent measures taken by authorities against opposition protestors in Islamabad, Pakistan. IBAHRI urged the Pakistani government to limit the use of force in accordance with international human rights standards. Reports suggest that 12 protestors lost their lives in D-Chowk, a significant location for public gatherings in Islamabad.
The IBAHRI highlighted reports of the alleged misuse of force by authorities, including rubber bullets, slingshots, and tear gas against demonstrators. Contrary to these allegations, the Pakistani government reported that protests resulted in the death of six individuals, including paramilitary members, a police officer, and a civilian.
Amid constraints on sharing information about the protests, Mark Stephens CBE, Co-Chair of IBAHRI, reiterated the organization’s commitment to monitoring developments and ensuring accountability for human rights violations. He emphasized the necessity for the international community to call for a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the events surrounding the demonstrations.
The legal framework for peaceful assembly in Pakistan is defined both by national legislation and international treaties. Under Article 16 of the Constitution of Pakistan, citizens are entitled to gather unarmed and peacefully. Globally, this right is also protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The protests in question were mobilized by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) political party, advocating for the release of their leader and former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The PTI had announced mass demonstrations on November 24, with significant gatherings in Islamabad between November 26 and 27. Despite governmental attempts to hinder the protests, demonstrators succeeded in converging at the center of Islamabad.
This unrest led to clashes with law enforcement, resulting in injuries on both sides and significant disruptions such as internet outages and road blockades across the nation, as reported in JURIST. Following allegations of violence, arrests, and disappearances of PTI members, further protests have ceased. In response, Amnesty International demanded a transparent investigation into the deceased and detained, urging accountability for those responsible for the crackdown.