Human rights activists have condemned Pakistan Army’s decision to try Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters who attacked civil and military installations following party chairman Imran Khan’s arrest last Tuesday under the Pakistan Army Act and Official Secrets Act, saying that using laws meant for military personnel against civilians is against the principles of democracy.
Last Tuesday, Rangers arrested former prime minister Imran Khan from the premises of Islamabad High Court (IHC) on corruption charges, provoking nationwide protests by PTI supporters. The protesters stormed the military buildings, including Corps Commander Lahore’s residence and Pakistan Army headquarters in Rawalpindi. The protesters set ablaze a number of public and private properties as well.
After the special Corps Commanders Conference (CCC) yesterday, the army announced the “rioters” would be tried in military courts amid strong opposition from human rights defenders.
Human rights activist Usama Khilji urged all citizens to oppose the military’s decision, saying that it is “unacceptable” to try civilians under the laws meant for army.
Unacceptable to try civilians under Army Act & Official Secrets Act. This is in continuation of efforts to establish a military-run set up where constitution & civilian institutions are meaningless.
Every Pakistani must oppose this otherwise all our rights will erode.
— Usama Khilji (@UsamaKhilji) May 16, 2023
Aurat March Lahore “strongly” condemned the decision and said that holding trials of civilians in military courts is against fundamental rights.
“Aurat March Lahore strongly condemns use of the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 & Official Secrets Act, 1923 to crack down on citizens-making an example of protestors for expressing frustration against the state in the context of complete economic, political & constitutional collapse,” it said.
Aurat March Lahore said these trials are against the principles of democracy as they would be held ” with the complete absence of due process” and without transparency and accountability.
Aurat March Lahore strongly condemns use of the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 & Official Secrets Act, 1923 to crack down on citizens-making an example of protestors for expressing frustration against the state in the context of complete economic, political & constitutional collapse
1/4— عورت مارچ لاہور – Aurat March Lahore (@AuratMarch) May 15, 2023
Use of military laws and courts to try civilians, the complete absence of due process, transparency and accountability flies in the face of the pretence of democracy under the current PDM regime.
2/4
— عورت مارچ لاہور – Aurat March Lahore (@AuratMarch) May 15, 2023
Military courts to try civilians, rubber stamped by the Supreme Court in 2015, remains a dark stain on Pakistan’s history and we cannot stand by this repeated institutional overreach.
3/4
— عورت مارچ لاہور – Aurat March Lahore (@AuratMarch) May 15, 2023
State institutions and monuments are not more important than people’s fundamental rights and lives.
Respect must be earned through actions, not through the force of draconian laws.4/4
— عورت مارچ لاہور – Aurat March Lahore (@AuratMarch) May 15, 2023
“Respect must be earned through actions, not through the force of draconian laws,” it said.
Condemning the decision, lawyer Reema Omer said civilians trial in military courts are “an affront to human rights and fundamental freedoms”.
Military trials of civilians – no matter how horrific the allegations against them – are an affront to human rights and fundamental freedoms
Such measures are used globally by tyrannical regimes as instruments of fear and oppression
Hope better sense prevails pic.twitter.com/7vMncC3LkI
— Reema Omer (@reema_omer) May 15, 2023
