Human rights experts said Monday that Idris Khattak was arrested and illegally detained for reporting on enforced disappearances and persecution of ethnic minorities, and that his human rights were severely violated during his five-year imprisonment.
Idris Khattak was arrested in 2019 and sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2021 in a secret trial by a military court.
The morale of civil society is weak
UN human rights experts have previously expressed concern about Idris Khattak’s enforced disappearance, prolonged solitary confinement, torture and ill-treatment, and denial of his right to a fair trial.
Experts say the apparent non-cooperation of the military authorities is denying Idris Khattak the right to appeal against his sentence.
It appears that the military authorities intend to deliberately prolong their detention by keeping them away from the protection of the civilian justice system.
Experts also said that Idris Khattak is facing harsh conditions in prison, while he is also deprived of proper medical facilities, putting his life at risk.
The punishment given to him by a highly unfair military trial will have a negative impact on the country’s civil society and journalists.
It will discredit civil society and discourage lawyers working for the rights of minorities in the country.
Attack on fundamental freedoms
Experts say that Idris Khattak’s case shows the trend of unaccountability of those responsible for suppressing fundamental freedoms and violating rights of the country.
The government should stop using security laws that criminalize legitimate civil society activities and punish human rights activists through military courts.
They demanded the government of Pakistan to conduct an independent, impartial, effective and detailed investigation into the rights violations and enforced disappearance of Idris Khattak and to arrest and jail those responsible.
Human rights experts said the Pakistan government should follow the recent Supreme Court decision that declared such cases unconstitutional. Also, adequate compensation should be ensured for Idris Khattak and his family.
UN human rights experts are in contact with the Pakistani government over the Idris Khattak case.
UN human rights expert and reporter
Independent human rights experts, or rapporteurs, are appointed under special procedures by the UN Human Rights Council to investigate a country’s situation or human rights problem and submit a report. They are not employees of the United Nations, they act in their personal capacity. They are independent of any country or organization, and receive no salary from the United Nations.