The State Department of the United States of America (USA) expressed deep concern over the sentencing of 25 civilians from a military court in Pakistan. The latest statement issued by the department cites a lack of judicial independence, transparency, and due process guarantees.
“The United States is concerned by the sentencing of Pakistani civilians in a military tribunal and calls upon Pakistani authorities to respect the right to a fair trial and due process,” said the statement on X by State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller.
In a major development, the military court last week sentenced 25 individuals involved in the attacks on state installations during the violent protests of May 9, 2023.
The violent protests broke out after former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the founder of PTI, was arrested from the premises of the Islamabad High Court. In turn, scores of party workers were arrested and more than 100 civilians are facing military trials.
Not just the US, the UK, and the European Union have also reacted to the sentencing of civilians from military courts.
“Military courts lack transparency, independent scrutiny and undermine the right to a fair trial,” a Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said in a statement issued on Monday.
European Union reacting to the sentencing of 25 civilians argued that the latest actions do not confirm the oath taken by Pakistan under the ICCPR.
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“In line with article 14 of ICCPR, every person is entitled to a fair and public trial in a court that is independent, impartial and competent, and has the right to adequate and effective legal representation,” said a statement issued by the EU’s European External Action Service.
PTI leader Sheikh Waqas Akram praised the concerns shown by the European Union. “The EU’s concerns about military courts’ decisions being inconsistent with Pakistan’s international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) were valid,” said Akram in a tweet. He feared that such actions would isolate Pakistan diplomatically.