HRC-Pakistan Condemns 17-Year Sentence for Human Rights Lawyers

The Human Rights Council of Pakistan has condemned the court's ruling sentencing lawyers Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha to 17 years in prison in a tweet case. The decision raises concerns about freedom of expression, highlighting Pakistan's deteriorating human rights situation and the suppression of dissent.

The Human Rights Council of Pakistan has issued a strong condemnation of Judge Afzal Majoka's court decision to sentence well-known human rights lawyers Advocate Iman Mazari and Advocate Hadi Ali Chattha to a combined 17 years in prison. The ruling, which also imposes fines exceeding 30 million rupees, stems from their involvement in a controversial tweet case.

In a post on social media platform X, the council described the verdict as a significant threat to those advocating for human rights in Pakistan. HRC-Pakistan underscored the lifelong dedication of Mazari and Chattha to defending vulnerable communities, citing their work against issues such as enforced disappearances, extrajudicial violence, and protecting street vendors' economic rights. Their efforts have been pivotal in ensuring fair trials, notably in blasphemy accusations.

The council argues that punitive measures for mere expression or social media activity contravene international human rights norms and infringe on freedom of expression, as protected by Article 19 of Pakistan's Constitution. Urging the judiciary to review the decision, HRC-Pakistan showed solidarity with the lawyers' families, drawing attention to the nation's declining human rights landscape marked by increasing threats to free speech and politically motivated legal actions.

(With inputs from agencies.)