UN Experts Demand Justice for Idris Khattak
"UN Urges Pakistan to Address Human Rights Violations in Khattak Case"
Source: UN / Image: UN
Human rights experts have raised serious concerns over the case of Idris Khattak, who was forcibly disappeared and subjected to severe human rights violations during his five-year imprisonment. Arrested in 2019 for reporting on the enforced disappearances and persecution of ethnic minorities, Khattak was tried in a secret military court in 2021 and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
UN experts have consistently highlighted the violations in Khattak’s case, including his prolonged solitary confinement, alleged torture, denial of fair trial rights, and lack of access to appeal. They have accused military authorities of deliberately obstructing justice by keeping Khattak outside the civilian legal system’s protections, extending his detention.
#Pakistan 🇵🇰: UN Experts call for release of activist Idris Khattak condemning his apparent unlawful detention for five years.https://t.co/JV3Z6lKSyi pic.twitter.com/qmClk449kD
— UN Special Procedures (@UN_SPExperts) December 23, 2024
Reports indicate Khattak faces harsh prison conditions and is deprived of proper medical care, endangering his life. Experts warn that his military trial and harsh sentencing send a chilling message to civil society and journalists, discouraging advocacy for minority rights and undermining freedoms in the country.
The experts also emphasized the broader trend of impunity in Pakistan, where fundamental freedoms are repressed, and accountability for violations remains elusive. They urged the government to cease using security laws to criminalize legitimate civil society work and punish human rights defenders through military courts.
Calling for a thorough, impartial investigation into Khattak’s disappearance and mistreatment, the experts demanded accountability for those responsible and adequate compensation for Khattak and his family. They also called on Pakistan to adhere to a recent Supreme Court decision deeming such cases unconstitutional.
The UN human rights experts, operating under the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, continue to engage with the Pakistani government on this case. These independent rapporteurs are appointed to examine and report on human rights issues globally. They work in a personal capacity, without affiliation to any country or organization, and receive no payment from the UN.
