The United States has expressed serious concerns regarding the military court’s sentencing of Pakistani civilians involved in the May 9 riots last year. Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US Department of State, emphasized the need for Pakistani authorities to uphold the right to a fair trial and due process in a post on X.
This statement from the US follows reactions from both the European Union and the United Kingdom. An EU spokesman remarked that the verdicts are inconsistent with Pakistan’s commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The spokesman pointed out that, according to Article 14 of the ICCPR, every individual is entitled to a fair and public trial conducted by an independent and impartial court, along with the right to adequate legal representation.
A representative from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging Pakistan’s sovereignty over its legal proceedings while stressing that trying civilians in military courts lacks transparency and undermines the right to a fair trial. They also called on the Pakistani government to adhere to its obligations under the ICCPR.
On December 21, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced that military courts had sentenced 25 civilians to prison terms ranging from two to ten years for their involvement in violent attacks on military installations during the nationwide riots in May 2023. The ISPR stated that these sentences were issued after a thorough examination of evidence and ensuring that the accused’s legal rights were upheld throughout the process. Among those convicted, fourteen received ten-year sentences, primarily connected to the Jinnah House incident.
