After EU, UK raises concerns over trial of civilians in military courts

UK govt urges Pakistan to uphold its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

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The United Kingdom expressed concern on Monday about the lack of transparency in the trial of civilians in Pakistan's military courts, following the recent sentencing of 25 civilians involved in the May 9, 2023 riots.

A spokesperson for the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office issued a statement, saying, “While the UK respects Pakistan’s sovereignty over its own legal proceedings, trying civilians in military courts lacks transparency, independent scrutiny, and undermines the right to a fair trial.”

The UK government called on Pakistan to uphold its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

The European Union (EU) had also voiced objections to the trials, raising concerns over Pakistan's compliance with the ICCPR a day earlier.

An EU spokesperson reiterated that under Article 14 of the ICCPR, every individual is entitled to a fair and public trial in an independent, impartial, and competent court, with the right to effective legal representation. Additionally, the EU stressed that any judgment in a criminal case should be made public.

The EU reminded Pakistan that, under its Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status, it has committed to implementing 27 international conventions, including the ICCPR, to continue benefiting from preferential trade status with the EU.

The riots broke out after the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan by paramilitary forces, sparking violent protests across the country. The military subsequently cracked down on PTI and its supporters, leading to the sentencing of the 25 PTI activists to prison terms ranging from two to 10 years.