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Amnesty International has strongly condemned the imprisonment of two Pakistani human rights lawyers who were sentenced to ten years in jail for social media posts criticising the country’s military.
According to Amnesty, Imaan Mazari, 32, and Hadi Ali Chattha, 33, were convicted on charges of “cyber terrorism” and spreading “false information” under Pakistan’s cybercrime laws.
The international rights organisation says the pair were targeted solely for their human rights work and for expressing solidarity with Baloch and Pashtun activists online.
Arrested despite bail, says Amnesty
Amnesty International reports that the lawyers were arrested on 23 January while travelling to court in Islamabad, despite having pre-arrest bail.
Eyewitnesses told Amnesty that police used unnecessary force during the arrest. The following day, an Islamabad court sentenced both lawyers to lengthy prison terms under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
They remain detained at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, near the capital.
‘Unjust and rushed trial’
Amnesty says the trial was conducted with “unusual haste”, adding that the lawyers were denied the right to cross-examine witnesses or properly present their defence.
The organisation also raised concerns that the conviction was announced while a request to remove the judge for alleged bias was still pending.
Ms Mazari reportedly told the court she had been denied food and water in detention, and later boycotted proceedings in protest.
Part of a wider crackdown
Amnesty International says the case highlights a wider crackdown on freedom of expression in Pakistan, where journalists, lawyers and activists are increasingly targeted under cybercrime and anti-terrorism laws.
The organisation notes that amendments to PECA have further restricted online speech, while internet shutdowns, surveillance and harassment of critics have intensified.
Ms Mazari, an award-winning lawyer, and Mr Chattha have both previously been arrested multiple times over their activism, Amnesty added.
Amnesty demands release
Amnesty International has called on the Pakistani government to immediately and unconditionally release the two lawyers and to quash their convictions.
“The use of cybercrime laws to silence peaceful dissent is a clear violation of international human rights law,” the organisation said.
