UN Experts Alarmed by Conviction of Pakistani Lawyers for Online Expression

The experts said the convictions, which stem solely from social media posts, violate international human rights law and risk creating a chilling effect on lawyers, activists and civil society across Pakistan.

UN human rights experts on Tuesday expressed serious alarm at the conviction and lengthy imprisonment of Pakistani lawyers and human rights defenders Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha, warning that the case represents a dangerous misuse of counter-terrorism and cybercrime laws to punish the peaceful exercise of freedom of expression.

The experts said the convictions, which stem solely from social media posts, violate international human rights law and risk creating a chilling effect on lawyers, activists and civil society across Pakistan.

“Lawyers, like all individuals, are entitled to freedom of expression,” the experts said. “The exercise of this right should never be conflated with criminal conduct, especially not terrorism. Doing so risks criminalising the work of lawyers and human rights defenders throughout the country.”

Convictions Over Social Media Posts

On 22 August 2025, criminal proceedings were initiated against Ms. Mazari-Hazir for posts shared on the social media platform X, and against Mr. Ali Chattha for sharing and reposting her content. On 24 January 2026, both were convicted under multiple provisions of Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, including:

• Section 9: glorification of an offence

• Section 10: cyber-terrorism

• Section 26-A: dissemination of false or fake information

Each lawyer received multiple concurrent prison sentences totalling 17 years, including a 10-year sentence for cyber-terrorism, and was fined 36 million Pakistani rupees.

UN experts raised particular concern over the broad and vague definition of terrorism-related offences under Pakistan’s counter-terrorism framework, noting that such provisions are increasingly being used against dissenting voices.

Pattern of Harassment and Intimidation

The experts observed that this case is part of a broader pattern of legal harassment. Since 2022, the two lawyers have faced 10 criminal complaints, several of which remain pending. Neither had previously been convicted of any offence.

“This pattern of prosecutions suggests the arbitrary use of the legal system as a tool of harassment and intimidation, aimed at punishing them for their work defending victims of alleged human rights violations,” the experts said.

They reiterated that under international standards, lawyers must not be prosecuted for actions taken in the course of their professional duties, nor should they be identified with the causes or clients they represent.

Fair Trial Guarantees Undermined

UN experts also expressed deep concern over serious procedural irregularities in the trial. According to information received, the proceedings moved at an unusually rapid pace, leaving the defendants with inadequate time to prepare their defence. They reportedly faced restrictions in accessing legal counsel of their choice, and evidence from prosecution witnesses was taken in their absence.

“International human rights law guarantees fair trial rights to all persons charged with a criminal offence,” the experts said. “These guarantees appear to have been undermined in this case, calling into question the fairness of both the trial and the resulting convictions.”

UN Engages Pakistan

The UN experts have formally contacted the Government of Pakistan to raise concerns about the convictions, the application of cyber-terrorism laws, and the broader implications for freedom of expression, the independence of the legal profession and the rule of law.

They urged Pakistan to bring its laws and practices into line with its international human rights obligations and to ensure that lawyers and human rights defenders can carry out their work without fear of reprisal.

*The experts are part of the UN Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council and act in their independent capacity.