The US has added to the international outrage over military trials of civilians in Pakistan after military courts in the South Asian country sentenced 25 people to imprisonment up to 10 years in the May 9, 2023 riots case.
The condemnation comes after the European Union (EU) and the UK expressed concern over the trial and conviction of civilians in military courts.
Serious concerns have been raised over transparency, judicial independence and the right to a fair trial of civilians in military courts of Pakistan, the US State Department said in a statement.
"These military courts lack judicial independence, transparency, and due process guarantees. The US continues to call on Pakistani authorities to respect the right to a fair trial and due process, as enshrined in Pakistan's Constitution," read the statement.
The UK and the European Union urge Pakistan to live up to the obligations by International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
"While the UK respects the sovereignty of Pakistan over legal proceedings going on there, trying civilians in military courts does not demonstrate transparency, independent scrutiny or respect for a fair trial," said the spokesperson at the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Department Office.
Furthermore, the EU reminded Pakistan of its obligations with Article 14 of the ICCPR, requesting Pakistan to make any judgment in a criminal case public.
The EU took it a step forward and also reminded Islamabad of its commitments under the GSP+ status, in which, Islamabad has agreed to implement at least 27 international conventions, including the ICCPR, hinting that convicting civilians through military trials and courts, could negatively impact Pakistan's GSP+ status with the EU.
"These judgments are viewed as incompatible with the obligations Pakistan has accepted under the ICCPR. As per Article 14 of ICCPR, every individual is entitled to a fair and public trial in a court that is independent, impartial and competent, and is entitled to adequate and effective legal representation. It further provides that any judgment delivered in a criminal case shall be made public," said a statement by the EU.
Violent protests broke out on 9 May 2023 as former premier and PTI founder Imran Khan was arrested from the Islamabad High Court (IHC). PTI supporters stormed all military installations across the country in the protests, including at the Army's General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
Hundreds of PTI workers were arrested during the riots, many of whom were put to trial through military courts and sentenced to jail terms between two to 10 years for their crimes last week.
However, the PTI questioned the lack of facilitation of the right to a fair trial and competent legal representation of its workers. The PTI strongly opposed the trials of civilians in military courts and announced that it would challenge the conviction in civilian courts.
"Military courts cannot put civilians to trial. There is a Supreme Court ruling that military courts cannot function like ordinary courts. Their rulings on these cases cannot be upheld," said PTI senior leader Omar Ayub Khan.
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