Baloch Voice for Justice Condemns 10-Year Jail Terms for Human Rights Lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha

Baloch Voice for Justice has criticised the decision of an Anti-Terrorism Court in Islamabad to sentence human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha to 10 years in prison each. The organisation has raised concerns about judicial independence, fair trial rights and the treatment of legal professionals defending human rights in Pakistan.

The organisation alleged that Pakistan's judicial system was increasingly being used to silence criticism instead of ensuring justice. It said the convictions of Mazari and Chatha were particularly concerning because both lawyers had represented victims of enforced disappearances and supported the rights of Baloch and Pashtun activists. The organisation argued that using terrorism-related provisions against lawyers for their professional activities and human rights advocacy threatened fundamental freedoms and weakened protections for members of the legal community.

Referring to Amnesty International's concerns, Baloch Voice for Justice said the two lawyers had not received the fair and transparent trial guaranteed under fundamental legal principles. According to the organisation, they were initially prevented from personally participating in court proceedings. Later hearings were reportedly conducted inside prison facilities, where the lawyers were required to appear in enclosed, cage-like structures.

Amnesty International has also criticised the sentences, describing them as a serious reflection of problems within Pakistan's justice system. It has called for the immediate release of Mazari and Chatha and the removal of all charges against them. Baloch Voice for Justice further questioned the independence of Pakistan's judiciary, alleging that powerful military interests were influencing judicial decisions. The organisation claimed that such developments had weakened the authority of courts and raised broader concerns about the country's commitment to the rule of law. It maintained that treating human rights advocacy as a criminal offence and associating peaceful dissent with terrorism were inconsistent with basic principles of justice and democratic freedoms.

The organisation has appealed to international human rights groups, relevant United Nations agencies and legal organisations worldwide to examine the cases and investigate the alleged violations of the lawyers' fair trial rights. It also urged the international community to press for their release and take meaningful steps to protect human rights defenders, strengthen judicial independence and address continuing human rights concerns in Pakistan.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.