Amnesty ‘alarmed’ by pre-polls unrest in Pakistan

Body slams targeted violence as a blatant infringement on democratic process

ISLAMABAD:

Amnesty International on Wednesday voiced profound apprehensions over the escalating violence targeting election candidates as well as political entities in the country, particularly in the provinces of Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

With the general elections scheduled for Thursday (today), the human rights organisation in a statement highlighted a series of lethal incidents that had unfolded in recent days, painting a grim picture of the security landscape leading up to the polls.

It pointed out that the most recent attacks occurred in Balochistan, where two separate assaults on election offices on Wednesday resulted in the tragic loss of at least 24 lives.

These incidents are not isolated, as the past 30 days have witnessed numerous attacks, including the ones on January 10 and 31, 2024, claiming the lives of two election candidates, the statement observed.
Amnesty International condemned the targeted violence as a blatant infringement on the democratic process and a severe violation of human rights.

The human rights organisation’s concerns extend beyond the immediate acts of violence. As Pakistan braces for its general election on Thursday, Amnesty International pointed to a range of issues contributing to a worrisome pre-election environment.

🇵🇰 PAKISTAN: Amnesty International is deeply alarmed by the lethal and targeted violence on offices, residences and election convoys of election candidates and political parties, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The two deadly attacks in Balochistan outside…

— Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) February 7, 2024

It noted that selective bans on protests and gatherings as well as harassment, arbitrary arrests and detentions of party activists and candidates had been reported.

Additionally, it added that media restrictions; internet and social media disruptions; and trials of political opponents with insufficient due process rights raised serious alarm.

Also read: At least 24 killed as twin bombings rock Balochistan's Pishin, Qilla Saifullah

Amnesty International called on the caretaker government to take immediate actions to ensure compliance with human rights obligations during and after the elections.

It outlined five recommendations for the Pakistani authorities.

The first recommendation is that the caretaker government should guarantee uninterrupted access to the internet to allow for free flow of information and communication.

In its second recommendation, Amnesty International has urged the authorities to lift restrictions on media to enable transparent reporting and coverage of the electoral process.

In the third, it has asked the authorities to lift all restrictions on assembly and protest to facilitate democratic expression as well as peaceful demonstrations.

Amnesty International, in its fourth recommendation, urged the authorities to grant political opponents access to a fair trial and due process rights -- in accordance with the country’s international human rights obligations.

In the fifth, the human rights body recommended conducting thorough investigations into targeted attacks on political activists and candidates, ensuring that suspected perpetrators were held accountable through fair trials without resorting to the death penalty.

Amnesty International underscored the importance of upholding human rights principles in the electoral process. It emphasised that a free, fair, and secure election was crucial for the democratic future of Pakistan.

The organisation urged the caretaker government to take swift and effective measures to address these concerns and safeguard the democratic values of the nation.