Several international organisations have condemned the 10-year prison sentences handed down to Imaan Zainab Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, two human rights lawyers in Pakistan, describing the verdict as a sign of mounting pressure on lawyers, legal activists and human rights defenders.
Human rights organisations, advocates of the independence of the legal profession and freedom of expression, said in a joint statement that the proceedings against the two lawyers had raised serious concerns about the right to a fair trial and the protection of defence lawyers within Pakistan’s judicial system.
According to the statement, an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad found Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha guilty on 29 October under several provisions of Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act and Penal Code. Each was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined.
The two lawyers were charged in 2024 in connection with an incident during the England national cricket team’s visit to Islamabad. Officials alleged that they had obstructed security arrangements during the visit.
International organisations stressed that invoking anti-terrorism laws in connection with such an incident was disproportionate and unnecessary. They said the way these laws had been applied raised concerns that Pakistani authorities might use the powers they provide to restrict the activities of lawyers, human rights defenders and government critics.
The joint statement also criticised the conduct of the trial, saying that the proceedings at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi had failed to meet fair-trial standards. According to reports, the two lawyers were held in a cage-like enclosure during the trial, restricting their ability to communicate with their legal representatives and present an effective defence.
The statement further said that the defence team had not been given sufficient time to examine the case and prepare its arguments, while the prosecution had relied heavily on police statements and testimony to establish the charges.
According to the international organisations, Imaan Zainab Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha have represented clients in sensitive human rights cases in Pakistan, including enforced disappearances, ill-treatment in detention facilities, cases involving victims of blasphemy laws and other human rights-related matters.
The statement warned that the arrest, trial and conviction of the two lawyers went beyond their individual rights and could have far-reaching negative consequences for the credibility of Pakistan’s judicial system, the independence of the legal profession and citizens’ access to justice.
Writer:Roya Stanikzai
