Pakistan’s second review under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which the country is a state party, is scheduled for this week on 17 and 18 October at the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva.

“Pakistan’s review comes at a crucial time for the country, as human rights violations and abuses remain rampant,” said Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia.

“The review presents an opportunity for the Pakistani government to take stock of the state of human rights in the country and implement concrete measures to address the human rights concerns raised during the review.”  

Background

Pakistan ratified the ICCPR in 2010 and the first review took place in 2017. After the review, the UN Human Rights Committee raised concerns regarding the failure to curb violence against women, the high incidents of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, the trial of civilians in military courts, restrictions on the right to freedom of movement, overbroad powers to censor online content, the criminalization of defamation, limits on the registration of INGOs and their activities, and a delay in adopting a national refugee law.

Many of these concerns remain relevant today. In its submission to the UN Human Rights Committee, Amnesty International outlined a raft of ongoing human rights violations in the country. The organization especially highlighted the escalating blasphemy-related violence across the country and the use of vague and coercive blasphemy laws.

Furthermore, the passage of new laws such as the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, along with Pakistan’s decision to deport Afghan refugees in violation of the principle of non-refoulement, hangs over Pakistan’s upcoming review. 

Pakistan 2023 Review:

Political volatility increased and authorities continued their assault on dissenting voices, political opposition and people critical of the government and the military establishment. Human rights violations such as enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and detentions, excessive restrictions on protests and violence against religious minorities continued unabated with little or no justice for victims. Transgender people faced an onslaught of violence, harassment and discrimination following a vicious disinformation campaign and the targeting of legislation that protects their rights. Pakistan battled increased incidents of extreme weather and natural disasters due to climate change.