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 of civilians in military courts, arguing that the requirements for fairness and due process are not met by these courts.

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In its fact-finding report, titled: “Balochistan’s struggle for Hope”, the human rights watchdog noted that there have been continued reports of enforced disappearances in Balochistan and there was no improvement in the situation since 2019 when the HRCP’s team visited the last.

It also stated the HRCP notes with “considerable alarm that Balochistan faces mounting public frustration pertaining to enforced disappearances, economic exclusion, curbs on press freedom, misgovernance and allegations of political manipulation by the establishment”.

The HRCP also called for an immediate halt to the establishment’s interference in Balochistan’s politics.

Earlier, human rights group Amnesty International noted an increase in the use of enforced disappearances in Balochistan after a suicide bombing at the University of Karachi on 25 April, claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army, which killed four people.

The international human rights watchdog released its annual report documenting the instances of human rights abuses in Pakistan, saying “grave human rights violations continued in Pakistan.

The report deplored the human rights abuses in Pakistan, including enforced disappearances, torture, crackdowns on peaceful protests, attacks against journalists, and violence against religious minorities and other marginalized groups, including an increase in violence against transgender people. The report also noted the disastrous impact of climate change in the country, including severe heatwaves and devastating floods.

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A body of a woman and her two sons were recovered from a well in Barkhan on Tuesday. They were later identified to be the wife Granaz (40) and two sons Muhammad Anwar (22) and Abdul Qadir (15) of one Khan Muhammad Marri, who was once employed as a security guard with the provincial minister.

Earlier, Khan Muhammad Marri had accused the minister of detaining his family, including his wife and seven children in his private jail. Moreover, all Pakistan Marri Ittehad had protested in Quetta against the provincial minister for detaining the Marri’s family members in his alleged private prison.

In a statement, the HRCP said the allegations leveled against the provincial minister are “serious” and urged the authorities to investigate them promptly.

Granaz’s video also surfaced online wherein she could be seen swearing on Holy Quran that she and her family are in Khetran’s captivity. In the video, she could also be seen asking for help.

Sardar Khetran has denied the allegations.

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The HRCP statement comes days after a court in Faisalabad sentenced a social media activist to three-year imprisonment and imposed a heavy fine on him for criticising Pakistan Army.

HRCP expresses deep concern over recent government efforts to amend the PPC and CrPC, expanding the scope of the current defamation laws and stipulating five years’ imprisonment ‘for scandalising or ridiculing’ the judiciary or army. pic.twitter.com/fSFRPrafPC

— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) February 16, 2023

A bill, titled Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act, 2023, is under consideration by cabinet members.

According to the bill, whoever makes, publishes, circulates any statement or disseminates information, through any medium, with an intention to ridicule or scandalise the judiciary, the armed forces or any of their member will be guilty of an offence punishable with imprisonment of up to five years or with a fine which may extend to Rs1 million or with both.

The legislation also proposes that the offender be arrested without a warrant and calls for the offence to be non-bailable and non-compoundable which could only be challenged in a sessions court.

Currently, the punishment for such an offence is three-year imprisonment with heavy fines.

While expressing concern over the government’s efforts to amend the bill, the HRCP said that “enforcing such measures would be antithetical to the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression”.

Earlier in a cabinet session, the lawmakers, mainly from Pakistan People’s Party, within the ruling alliance contested the proposed law. They termed the proposed amendments to the penal code against basic human rights.

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According to a notification issued by the university, “Gatherings/ Coupling (Male and Female) is totally Banned in any ground, roads, etc, beyond the premises of departments.”

The notification also advised women students to be “careful and limit themselves just in their classrooms and department Common rooms”.

Gomal University warns female students “to be careful and limit themselves to classrooms” or strict action will be taken against those violating the rules. pic.twitter.com/meECaPZLC3

— Nazrana G Yousufzai 🦋 (@Nazranausufzai) February 17, 2023

It also wanted students of strict action in case of non-compliance.

Condemnation:

Many social media users condemned the notification, with author Yousuf Nazar saying: “Universities must be stopped by law to impose any dress code on females and any restrictions on their fundamental human rights including freedom of movement and freedom of speech. Political judges at the SC please note as well.”

Universities must be stopped by law to impose any dress code on females and any restrictions on their fundamental human rights including freedom of movement and freedom of speech. Political judges at the SC please note as well. https://t.co/TK634hZf2g

— Yousuf Nazar (@YousufNazar) February 17, 2023

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) urged the university to withdraw the notification “immediately”.
The HRCP said: “HRCP takes strong exception to a notification issued by Gomal University, banning male & female students from mingling & restricting female students from public spaces. Segregation will reinforce a culture of ignorance & inequality. The notification must be withdrawn immediately.”

HRCP takes strong exception to a notification issued by Gomal University, banning male & female students from mingling & restricting female students from public spaces. Segregation will reinforce a culture of ignorance & inequality. The notification must be withdrawn immediately.

— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) February 17, 2023

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REPORT LAUNCH: HRCP’s report ‘A Breach of Faith: Freedom of Religion or Belief in 2021-22’ observes with considerable alarm developments during 2021/22 that belie the state’s commitment to freedom of religion or belief. 1/3@EUPakistan https://t.co/Vpj4o5KxRw pic.twitter.com/aKgY61f0iS

— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) February 7, 2023

The HRCP, in a report titled: A Breach of Faith: Freedom of Religion or Belief in 2021-22, said that “it has observed with considerable alarm developments during 2021/22 that belie the state’s commitment to freedom of religion or belief.”

The report pointed out that the incidence of forced conversions in Sindh has remained “worryingly consistent”. It also added that the desecration of Ahmadi worship places has continued with no response from the State.

The incidence of forced conversions in Sindh has remained worryingly consistent. Reports of religious minorities’ sites of worship being desecrated have continued, but with no response from the state when such incidents involve sites associated with the Ahmadiyya community. 2/3

— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) February 7, 2023

In Punjab, the mandatory declaration of faith for marriage certificates has further marginalised the Ahmadiyya community, while attempts to enforce a standardised national curriculum have created an exclusionary narrative that sidelines Pakistan’s religious minorities. 3/3

— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) February 7, 2023

“In Punjab, the mandatory declaration of faith for marriage certificates has further marginalised the Ahmadiyya community, while attempts to enforce a standardised national curriculum have created an exclusionary narrative that sidelines Pakistan’s religious minorities,” it added.

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