Islamabad, Feb 24 (NationPress) A group of five United Nations special rapporteurs has expressed serious concerns regarding the legal actions taken against human rights attorneys Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha in Pakistan. They emphasize that the allegations against these lawyers could potentially be employed to stifle legal advocacy and infringe upon freedom of expression, as reported by local media on Tuesday.

In an official correspondence directed to the Pakistani government, the UN experts raised alarms over the lawyers' convictions under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) of 2016. The signatories of this communication include special rapporteurs focused on the independence of judges and lawyers, freedom of expression, the rights to peaceful assembly and association, the condition of human rights activists, and the safeguarding of human rights in the context of counter-terrorism, as reported by The Balochistan Post.

On January 24, a court in Pakistan imposed a cumulative sentence of 17 years of imprisonment on both lawyers under Sections 9, 10, and 26-A of the PECA law, along with a hefty fine of 36 million Pakistani Rupees (PKR) imposed on each attorney.

Since 2022, at least 10 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed against Mazari, yet none have led to a conviction, according to the UN's communication. These cases encompass accusations linked to protests against enforced disappearances, critiques of military leadership, and arrests under the Anti-Terrorism Act, as reported by The Balochistan Post.

The UN special rapporteurs highlighted that these events suggest a targeted approach against the two lawyers for their professional endeavors and human rights advocacy. They raised concerns about procedural irregularities observed during the court proceedings, including the lack of notification about the FIR to the defendants, the denial of critical documents to the defense, the issuance of non-bailable warrants, and the recording of statements without the presence of the accused or their legal representatives, as reported by The Balochistan Post.

According to the UN experts, connecting freedom of expression with charges related to terrorism poses a significant risk of criminalizing the activities of human rights advocates. They urged the Pakistani authorities to rectify the alleged breaches, guarantee a fair trial, and reform the PECA legislation to align with international human rights norms. The letter marks the 17th formal communication sent to Pakistan regarding concerns over undue pressure on legal professionals, journalists, and civil society members.

Earlier in January, the European Union (EU) reminded Pakistan of its obligations to uphold international human rights standards while denouncing the convictions of the human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha.

Expressing profound concerns, EU spokesperson Anouar El Anouni stated that convicting human rights lawyers for their social media activities undermines both freedom of expression and the independence of legal practitioners.

"The conviction of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha due to their social media engagement violates fundamental democratic principles and is contrary to Pakistan’s international human rights commitments," Anouni stated on X.

The apprehension and sentencing of these Pakistani human rights lawyers have drawn widespread condemnation across the globe.

Reportedly, the duo was detained in Islamabad in January while attempting to reach the district courts.

Both Imaan and Hadi faced indictment by an Islamabad court in October of the previous year concerning alleged controversial posts made on social media.