In a statement on Sunday, the European Union has expressed concern over the sentences handed down to 25 civilians by Pakistan’s military court.
EU Ambassador to Pakistan Renee Cuenca has shared a statement from the EU Foreign Affairs Spokesperson on X, according to which the military court’s decisions were made under Pakistan’s International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Seen as a breach of promises made.
According to Article 14 of the ICCPR, everyone has the right to a fair and public hearing by an independent, impartial and competent tribunal, and the right to effective legal representation. ‘
The statement added: ‘Furthermore, it is important that the judgment given in any criminal case be made public.’
The statement said that under the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), beneficiary countries, including Pakistan, have voluntarily pledged to effectively implement 27 international core treaties, including the ICCPR, so that the GSP+ The status of can be maintained.
Independent Urdu has contacted the Foreign Office Spokesperson in Islamabad to know the reaction to this statement. Their response will be included in the news when it comes out.
Pakistan Army said in a statement on Saturday that 25 criminals involved in the incidents of May 9, 2023 have been sentenced to two to 10 years in prison.
The statement added that ‘the convicted accused were provided with all legal rights to meet the legal requirements.’
The statement further said that after this black day, all the evidences and incidents were thoroughly investigated and irrefutable evidence was collected against the accused involved.
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The ISPR further said that ‘the punishments of the other accused are also being announced as soon as they complete their legal process.’
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced to challenge these punishments as they are against the constitution and law.
On Saturday, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly and senior leader of PTI Umar Ayub Khan said in his video statement that ‘military courts in any religious society of the world do not try citizens, nor do they pronounce judgment.
“Today, the decision of the military courts against the innocent people of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf is the darkest decision. This is unprecedented and should not have happened. We reject and condemn this. ‘
In another of his messages, Umar Ayub Khan said that the military courts that prosecute and sentence civilians are actually ‘kangaroo courts’.
