The European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States have separately expressed concern over the military trials of civilians linked to the May 9, 2023, riots, urging Islamabad to respect the right to a fair trial.
Last week, the military’s media wing announced the verdicts for 25 civilians tried by military courts over their roles in the May 9, 2023 riots. The individuals were handed down sentences ranging from 2 to 10 years’ rigorous punishment. The PTI has slammed the verdicts as a violation of fundamental freedoms, describing their trials as a “sham.”
In a statement, the E.U. expressed “concern” over the sentencing of the 25 civilians by a military court. “These verdicts are seen as inconsistent with the obligations that Pakistan has undertaken under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR),” it said. It noted Article 14 of the ICCPR entitles every person to a fair and public trial in an independent, impartial and competent court with adequate and effective legal representation.
“It also stipulates that any judgement rendered in a criminal case shall be made public,” it said. The E.U. statement pointed out that beneficiary countries of the E.U.’s generalized scheme of preferences plus status, such as Pakistan, had voluntarily agreed to implement 27 international core conventions—including the ICCPR—to continue availing GSP+ status.
GSP+ status countries can export goods to the E.U. market at zero duties for 66% of tariff lines. Pakistan has held the status since 2014.
United Kingdom
In a separate statement, the U.K.’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office also urged Islamabad to uphold its obligations under the ICCPR. “Military courts lack transparency, independent scrutiny and undermine the right to a fair trial,” it said. However, it stressed, the U.K. respects Pakistan’s sovereignty over its own legal proceedings.
United States
In another statement, the United States State Department has expressed its own “deep concern” over the conviction of 25 civilians in a military court. It said military courts lacked judicial independence, transparency, and due process guarantees.
Spokesperson Matthew Miller said Washington continued to call on Pakistani authorities to “respect” the right to a fair trial and due process, as enshrined in the country’s Constitution.
Foreign Office Responds
Reacting to the E.U.’s statement on Monday, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told Geo News the government was reviewing the bloc’s condemnation of sentences handed down by military courts. However, she said, Pakistan’s stance remained that its Constitution and courts could resolve the country’s internal matters.
Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have also criticized the trials, asserting that military courts should not be used to prosecute civilians, even for crimes against the military. They argue that civilian courts are functioning and should handle such cases to ensure due process and fair trial rights. The military and government, however, maintain that the trials are lawful and necessary, denying any political motives or unfair treatment of the accused. They assert that the sentences serve as a deterrent against politically provoked violence and attempts to impose will through coercion.