December 24, 2024
Staff report
LAHORE
A group of independent UN human rights experts has condemned the five-year-long detention of Idris Khattak, calling on the Pakistani government to ensure his immediate and unconditional release.
The experts include Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association; Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders; Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers; Gabriella Citroni (Chair-Rapporteur), Grażyna Baranowska (Vice-Chair), Aua Baldé, Ana Lorena Delgadillo Pérez and Mohammed Al-Obaidi, Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; Matthew Gillett (Chair-Rapporteur), Ganna Yudkivska (Vice-Chair on Communications), Priya Gopalan (Vice-Chair on Follow-Up), Miriam Estrada-Castillo, and Mumba Malila, Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; and Nicolas Levrat, Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues.
“We are deeply concerned by the continued arbitrary detention of Mr. Khattak, which appears to be a direct retaliation for his work documenting enforced disappearances and repression of ethnic minorities in Pakistan’s north-west,” the experts stated.
Khattak, who was taken into military custody in November 2019, has reportedly endured serious human rights abuses, including enforced disappearance, incommunicado detention, torture, and denial of a fair trial. In December 2021, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison following a secret trial by a military court.
The experts noted that Khattak’s right to appeal has been obstructed, alleging intentional delays by military authorities to prolong his detention. They also expressed alarm over his deteriorating health, citing harsh prison conditions, forced labor, and denial of adequate medical treatment.
“Mr. Khattak’s wellbeing and physical integrity are in grave jeopardy. He must be released before it is too late,” the experts urged, highlighting the broader chilling effect of his case on civil society and journalism in Pakistan.
The UN experts emphasized the need for an independent investigation into the violations Khattak has faced and called for those responsible to be held accountable. They also demanded reparations for Khattak and his family for the harm suffered.
The detention of Idris Khattak, the experts said, is emblematic of increasing repression of fundamental freedoms in Pakistan, with military courts being used to silence dissent and rights activism while enabling impunity for violations.
“Pakistan must cease using security laws to criminalize legitimate civil society work and end the prosecution of peaceful activists and civilians in military courts,” they said, urging compliance with a recent Supreme Court ruling declaring such trials unconstitutional.
The experts confirmed ongoing communication with Pakistani authorities regarding Khattak’s case.