'Misuse of criminal justice system': Over 20 rights groups call for Imaan, Hadi's release after latest sentencing

Over 20 international human rights groups have urged the Pakistani government to release human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, immediately and without conditions. The two were sentenced to 10 years in prison each by an anti-terrorism court on October 29 for their alleged involvement in a security breach case. In addition to their 10-year sentences, they received one-year prison terms and fines for obstructing a public servant and assaulting a public servant.

These international human rights organizations, which include Amnesty International, are concerned that the use of anti-terrorism legislation is being used to unfairly target and intimidate lawyers and human rights defenders. The organizations note that the trial took place at Adiala jail in Rawalpindi and did not meet fair trial standards.

They also point out that the couple was kept in a "cage-like" structure during the trial, preventing them from effectively communicating with their legal counsel. Furthermore, the organizations argue that the prosecution relied heavily on police testimony, while the defense was not given adequate opportunity to challenge the prosecution's evidence.

The groups express concern that these convictions are part of a series of politically motivated criminal proceedings against the couple, with the aim of silencing them for their human rights work and activism. They recall the Supreme Court's suspension of their 17-year sentences in a related case involving social media posts, only for the couple to be rearrested shortly thereafter.

The organizations urge the government and relevant authorities to take immediate action to release Imaan and Hadi and quash the convictions against them. They also call for an end to the misuse of the criminal justice system to target lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders, and peaceful critics, and for the Pakistani authorities to comply with their international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).