LONDON – The British government has raised concerns about the sentencing of 25 civilians by military courts in Pakistan, calling for greater transparency and fairness.
In a statement, the UK Foreign Office acknowledged Pakistan’s sovereignty but stressed the need for independent oversight in such trials. It emphasized that military court proceedings could undermine civilians’ right to a fair trial and urged Pakistan to honor its commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
The European Union (EU) has also criticized the verdicts, stating they violate Article 14 of the ICCPR, which guarantees fair and public trials by impartial courts. The EU reminded Pakistan of its obligations under the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), which links trade benefits to compliance with 27 international conventions, including the ICCPR.
On December 20, Pakistan’s military courts sentenced 25 individuals to 2–10 years of imprisonment for their alleged involvement in the May 9 incidents, which targeted state institutions. These sentences have sparked international concerns about fairness and adherence to legal standards.