ISLAMABAD: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has condemned the conviction of 25 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters by military courts over their alleged involvement in the May 9 riots.
In a statement posted on its social media account, the HRCP said, “In response to today’s announcement that military courts have convicted 25 civilians for the PTI-led 9 May riots, HRCP reiterates its position that no civilian should be tried in a military court under any circumstances.”
The statement added that trials of civilians in military courts violate the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan and the international human rights obligations to which Pakistan is a state party.
“All civilians accused of violence should have been prosecuted in civilian courts through open public proceedings to protect their right to due process and fair trial,” the statement said.
On Saturday, Pakistan jailed 25 civilians over attacks on military installations that took place following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 9, 2023.
Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s public relations wing, confirmed the development and added that a military court had given sentences between two and 10 years of “rigorous imprisonment”, with 14 facing a decade in prison.
Human rights activists have long expressed concerns over trials in military courts, arguing that the requirements for free and fair trial are not met by these courts.
