UN experts have called on Pakistan to release human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha, urging the immediate dropping of charges they claim lack a justifiable basis. Both lawyers, known for their work representing individuals targeted by Pakistan’s legal measures, were re-arrested on September 17, 2026. This arrest followed a decision by the Supreme Court of Pakistan to grant them bail after eight months of detention.
The charges against Mazari-Hazir and Chattha relate to an alleged illegal protest from March 2025. They are accused of chanting anti-government slogans and blocking roads, facing charges under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Anti-Terrorism Act. This case largely touches upon issues surrounding freedom of expression, a fundamental human right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as highlighted by the UN experts. The narrative around these charges can be further explored through the report on JURIST.
In August 2025, criminal prosecutions were launched against Mazari-Hazir for social media posts deemed “anti-state.” Chattha faced similar charges for spreading alleged misinformation. Both were convicted under Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, receiving significant prison sentences and fines.
Their work has included representing journalists, people accused under blasphemy laws, and victims of enforced disappearances. This history draws attention to the potential misuse of the legal system as a means of silencing dissent. The International Observatory of Lawyers considers these actions as potential abuses of judicial power aimed at harassment and intimidation.
Procedural fairness in the ongoing legal proceedings has become a concern, given the pace of the case’s development. UN experts have reached out to the Pakistani authorities with concerns, and discussions around the broader implications of these events are ongoing within international legal circles, as legal professionals and organizations continue to monitor the situation.