Amnesty Criticizes Imprisonment of Human Rights Lawyers in Pakistan

Amnesty International has harshly criticized Pakistan’s judiciary following the sentencing of two human rights lawyers, Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chatha, to 10 years in prison. The organization accused the authorities of misusing anti-terrorism laws to suppress dissent and silence human rights defenders. Yasmin Ahmed, Amnesty International’s Senior Regional Director for Human Rights, described the sentencing as a matter of serious concern for Pakistan’s justice system. She stated that anti-terrorism legislation is being utilized to muzzle human rights activists and clamp down on opposing voices.

According to Amnesty, the lawyers were initially barred from physically attending court during the trial. Subsequently, when the proceedings were relocated to the prison premises, they were kept behind a cage-like structure. The rights body emphasized that they faced this ordeal simply for exercising their right to peaceful assembly and advocating for human rights. The two lawyers are well known for speaking out on behalf of marginalized communities affected by enforced disappearances, unfair state trials, and the misuse of blasphemy laws. On January 24, they were sentenced to between 10 and 17 years in prison under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act over social media posts criticizing the Pakistani military and expressing solidarity with Baloch and Pashtun activists.

Although the Supreme Court of Pakistan suspended their sentences and granted them bail on September 17, they were re-arrested on the same day under separate anti-terrorism charges. Reports indicate that the new cases stem from older incidents, including alleged disruption during a Baloch activists’ protest in March 2025 and the removal of a security barrier at a 2024 cricket match. This sentencing has sparked fresh debate amid growing concerns over the independence of Pakistan’s judiciary following the country’s 26th and 27th constitutional amendments.

Source: ANI