Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Islamabad (UrduPoint News International/ Pakistan Point News - 24th December, 2024) Last week, a military court in Pakistan sentenced 25 civilians to between two and 10 years in prison for attacking military installations during riots that broke out in May last year.
A day after the European Union expressed its concern over the matter, the United States and Britain also expressed concern over the trials and sentences of civilians in military courts in Pakistan.
Pakistan, EU concerned over sentences of civilians in military courts
The US State Department said on Monday that the United States will continue to urge Pakistani authorities to respect the right to a fair trial guaranteed in the country’s constitution.
“These military courts lack independence, transparency, and due process,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.
The United States will continue to urge Pakistani authorities to uphold the right to a fair trial and the due process of justice in accordance with Pakistan’s constitution.”
The statement said, “The United States is deeply concerned that Pakistani citizens were convicted by a military tribunal for their involvement in the protests that took place on May 9, 2023.”
Military courts sentenced twenty-five suspects involved in the May 9 protests
The statement added, “The United States calls on Pakistani authorities to respect the right to a fair trial and due process, as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan.”
“UK statement
A statement issued by the British Foreign Office also expressed concern about the trials of civilians by military courts.
According to a statement issued by a British Foreign Office spokesperson, the British government respects Pakistan’s sovereignty over legal proceedings in the country, however, the trials of civilians in military courts lack transparency and independent scrutiny.
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The spokesperson said that the proceedings in military courts undermine the right to a fair trial. And "we call on the Pakistani government to fulfill its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights."
What did the European Union say?
On Sunday, the European Union expressed concern over the recent convictions of 25 citizens by a military court, saying that these decisions are seen as being in conflict with the obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Pakistan is bound.
The European Union's ambassador to Pakistan, Renee Cioneca, shared a statement on X by the EU's foreign affairs spokesperson, according to which the military court's "decisions are seen as a violation of Pakistan's commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)."
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According to Article 14 of the ICCPR, everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing by an independent, impartial and competent tribunal, and is also entitled to effective legal representation.
The statement added, “It is also essential that the decision given in any criminal case be made public.”
Pakistan’s response
The spokesperson for the Pakistan Foreign Office, while addressing the EU’s concerns regarding military courts, said that Pakistan’s constitution and judicial system are fully capable of resolving internal matters, and the Pakistani nation knows how to resolve its own problems.
The spokesperson also rejected the US statement, saying that the Pakistani nation knows how to resolve its own problems and the constitution ensures the protection of the fundamental rights of every citizen.
It may be recalled that the Pakistan Army's public relations department, the ISPR, had said in a statement on Saturday that the Field General Court Martial, after examining all the evidence and completing due legal proceedings, had sentenced 25 criminals in the first phase, who were involved in the violent incidents of May 9, 2023.
The ISPR said that "the sentences of the other accused will also be announced after completing their legal processes."
The military statement said that during the unrest of May 2023, "tragic incidents of political provocation, violence and arson were witnessed at several places in Pakistan." and "these blatant acts of violence not only shocked the nation but also stressed the need to stop this unacceptable attempt at political terrorism."
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