UN experts have raised serious concerns over the conviction of lawyers and human rights defenders Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha in Pakistan. The District and Sessions Court in Islamabad sentenced the two to 17 years imprisonment under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) following their criticism of the Pakistani military’s involvement in human rights violations on the platform X. According to UN experts, this trial represents an arbitrary misuse of the legal system, aiming to deter them from exercising their human rights.
Several independent experts, including the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite, and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, have condemned the case. They argue that lawyers, like all individuals, have the right to freedom of expression, which should not be conflated with criminal activity, particularly under terrorism charges.
The conviction of Mazari and Chattha has led to allegations that the Pakistani authorities are using the legal system as an instrument of harassment and intimidation against those advocating for victims of human rights abuses. Reports indicate that over ten criminal complaints were filed against the two lawyers since 2020. Despite being granted protective bail, the recent conviction underscores a troubling trend.
This case may represent a violation of Pakistan’s obligations under international law, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which enshrines the rights to freedom of expression and a fair trial. The UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers further affirm that legal professionals should not be targeted for defending their clients. The actions by Pakistani authorities have been warned to potentially have a chilling effect on civil society within the country.
Alongside the UN voices, the Islamabad Bar Council and other international rights organizations have called for ensuring a fair trial for Mazari and Chattha. The engagement of these bodies highlights a growing international concern regarding the state of human rights and the independence of the judiciary in Pakistan.