25 civilians in Pakistan sentenced by military court, America and European Union expressed deep concern

Washington: The United States and the European Union have expressed grave concern over the sentencing of 25 civilians by a military court in Pakistan. These sentences have been given on charges of targeting military establishments during the violent protests that broke out after the arrest of Imran Khan in May last year.

“The United States is concerned by the sentencing of Pakistani civilians in a military tribunal and calls on Pakistani authorities to respect the right to a fair trial and due process,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a post on Twitter on Monday. Does.”

This comes a day after the European Union (EU) expressed similar concerns.

On Sunday, the European Union expressed concern over the sentencing of 25 people by a military court, noting that the decision was inconsistent with Pakistan's commitments to ensure a 'fair and public' trial of each individual, as That has been reported by The Express Tribune.

“The EU expresses concern at the sentencing of 25 civilians by a military court in Pakistan on 21 December,” the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels said in a statement.

The EU statement came after a military court sentenced 25 people to prison terms ranging from two to 10 years for targeting military installations during protests that erupted in May last year following the arrest of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Is.

A dark chapter in the history of Pakistan

In a statement, the Pakistan Army said the country witnessed “tragic incidents of politically instigated violence and arson at several places on May 9, which is a dark chapter in the history of Pakistan” when the continued narrative of hatred and lies Based, politically orchestrated attacks were carried out on military installations, The Express Tribune reported.

Terming the actions of the protesters as “blatant acts of violence”, the Pakistani Army said, “These blatant acts of violence not only shocked the country but also amounted to political terrorism to enforce their perverted will through violence and coercion.” “Also underlined the need to stop this unacceptable attempt.”

According to a statement issued by the Pakistani Army, a Field General Court Martial sentenced 25 people in the first phase after reviewing the evidence and completing appropriate legal procedures. However, the European Union has expressed concern over the verdicts announced by military courts. “These decisions are considered inconsistent with the obligations undertaken by Pakistan under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR),” the EU statement said.

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It further states, “In accordance with Article 14 of the ICCPR, every person is entitled to a fair and public trial before an independent, impartial and competent court, and has the right to adequate and effective legal representation. There is also a provision that any judgment given in a criminal case will be made public.”

According to the EU statement, under the EU's Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP+), beneficiary countries including Pakistan have voluntarily agreed to effectively implement 27 international core conventions, including the ICCPR, to continue to benefit from the GSP+ status. Has expressed.
GSP+ grants tariff preferences to imports into the EU from vulnerable developing countries to support poverty alleviation, sustainable development and their participation in the global economy, as well as to strengthen good governance.

Eligible countries like Pakistan can export goods to the EU market at zero duty for 66 per cent of tariff lines. This preferential status is conditional on GSP+ countries showing concrete progress on the implementation of 27 international conventions on human and labor rights, environmental protection, climate change and good governance, reports The Express Tribune.

(with agency input)