Dissenting voices: Military courts a blow to judicial independence, says ICJ

The ruling puts Pakistan at odds with its international obligations and weakens the SC's hard won reputation

ISLAMABAD:

The International Commission of Jurists has criticised the Supreme Court ruling that allows military trials for terror suspects in the country, calling it a blow to human rights.

In a statement, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), a panel of top law experts said that “The August 5 ruling that gives the green light for military courts to try civilians suspected in terrorism cases, squarely puts Pakistan at odds with its international obligations and weakens the Supreme Court’s hard won reputation.”

Sam Zarifi, who serves as the Geneva-based legal advocacy group’s regional chief said: “The apex court has missed an important opportunity to reverse the militarisation of justice in progress under the guise of combatting terrorism and to reinforce independence of the judiciary in the country.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2015.