ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Amnesty International has strongly opposed Pakistan authorities’ decision of handing over civilian to military courts for trail and called upon the authorities concerned to immediately reverse the decision.
In a statement, the organisation highlighted that “the right to a fair trial is a constitutional right and an obligation under Pakistan’s international human rights commitments”.
“We have documented a catalogue of human right violations stemming from trying civilians in military courts in Pakistan, including flagrant disregard for due process, a lack of transparency and coerced confessions,” it was said.
The organisation called upon authorities to “immediately reverse” the handing over of civilians to the military for a trial and stressed that civilians should only be prosecuted in a civilian court using ordinary criminal laws commensurate with the offence.
