{
  "id": 10611852,
  "title": "International rights groups demand release of lawyers Imaan, Chattha",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/international-rights-groups-demand-release-of-lawyers-imaan-chattha",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T04:49:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2033365/international-rights-groups-demand-release-of-lawyers-imaan-chattha"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Fifteen international civil society organisations have demanded the immediate release of Pakistani lawyers Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha, and urged authorities to heed the Supreme Court's 17 September 2026 order, according to a joint statement. The organisations insist that any continued detention must be based on clear legal grounds and undergo thorough, independent judicial review. They call for the dismissal of all charges stemming from exercising freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, human rights advocacy, and performing their professional duties as lawyers. The statement also urges full transparency regarding the re-arrest, ensuring rigorous judicial scrutiny, and upholding fair trial rights. These rights include access to chosen counsel, sufficient preparation time for defence, physical presence during proceedings, ability to challenge prosecution evidence, and decisions made through reasoned judicial orders. The organisations further demand the government ensure the safety and dignity of Mazari-Hazir and Chattha while in detention, including unrestricted access to legal counsel, appropriate medical care, family contact, and protection from torture or ill-treatment. They urge an end to any pattern of reprisals, intimidation, or persecution against the lawyers and other human rights defenders for their legitimate professional work. The statement emphasizes that the right to a fair trial and rule of law depend on the independence of lawyers, who must be able to represent unpopular or politically sensitive clients without fear of retaliation.",
  "summary": "ISLAMABAD: A joint statement by 15 international civil society organisations working on the protection of lawyers, human rights and freedom of expression has called on Pakistani authorities to immediately release Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha and “give full effect to the Supreme Court’s order of 17 September 2026.” Through the joint statement, the organisations demanded that the…",
  "key_points": [
    "International groups demand release of Pakistani lawyers Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha.",
    "Authorities urged to follow Supreme Court's 17 September 2026 order for detention grounds.",
    "Call for full transparency, fair trial rights, and safety during detention."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}