Islamabad: In addition to political polarization, which continues until 2023 and leads to more restrictions on civil and political rights, there is acute suffering among ordinary people about the cost of living, which has erupted in large-scale demonstrations across the country. . In its 2023 annual human rights report released this morning, the Human Rights Council of Pakistan (HRCP) issued an urgent call for economic justice and protection of civil rights.
The report notes with deep concern that following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 9, 2023, irreconcilable political divisions have led to protests and violence. After that, unelected forces tightened their control over the country’s democratic structure and civic space, flagrantly disregarding the Constitution.
The state’s response to the May 9 riots was to silence dissenters, revive military courts to try civilians, carry out disappearances, order mass arrests, and organize defections from the PTI among many party leaders. Freedom of speech and the right to assembly took a special hit during the year. The general election was delayed beyond the constitutional limit of 90 days for several reasons, including the need for new restrictions based on the latest census.
The rule of law has been severely damaged by terrorists and anti-terrorist operations and two militant attacks in Bajaur and Mastung that have left at least 117 dead. The practice of extrajudicial killing continued, and street crime and mob violence increased.
As in previous years, journalists, activists and politicians were forcibly removed across the country. In a show of force, young Baloch women who marched from Turbat to Islamabad, were forced to commit extrajudicial killings and disappearances.
Among vulnerable groups, religious minorities reported fear, particularly in the Punjab province of Jaranwala, after several churches and houses were burned and looted following accusations of blasphemy against a Christian man. Following the federal government’s decision to deport undocumented aliens. Afghan nationals in particular are rounded up in police raids and sent to deportation centers without much legal recourse.
HRCP Secretary General Harris Halik said at the launch of the report that the 2023 economic crisis “has left tens of millions of ordinary citizens in despair” and fulfilled people’s rights to education, recreation and health. Concerned about the low level of unionization, he said efforts to unite workers were met with constant harassment and intimidation.
HRCP Islamabad vice-chairman Nasreen Azhar said religion continues to be “weaponized for political purposes”. Co-chairman Munizae Jahangir, who convened the press conference, said that the country must protect the right of peaceful demonstration for all political parties and groups. He said that repressive laws issued under one government would come back to haunt them during the opposition.
