United Nations human rights experts on Wednesday called on Pakistan to release lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha immediately, describing their re-arrest as deeply alarming and urging the state to drop the charges against the couple.
Imaan Mazari Hadi Chattha release: what the UN experts said
The experts said the couple must be released at once and that the “unfounded criminal and terrorism charges against them” should be dropped. Their statement described the re-arrest as an apparent attempt to punish expression.
“Invoking an older case immediately after they were granted bail appears to be an attempt to use the criminal justice system as punishment for freedom of expression and human rights advocacy,” the statement read.
The experts noted they had tracked the proceedings against Mazari and Chattha since January, when the pair was first arrested. They concluded the proceedings seemed “intended to punish and intimidate these lawyers” and send a “chilling message” to the legal profession.
Condemnation of terrorism charges
The statement condemned the use of what it called “vague and overbroad” counter-terrorism provisions to obstruct the lawyers’ right to promote, protect and defend human rights.
It added that international standards require governments to shield lawyers from intimidation, harassment and improper interference, and from prosecution for carrying out recognised professional duties. “The same standards also protect lawyers’ freedom of expression,” the statement said.
The experts said the couple “should already have adequate access to counsel of their choice, to their family, and to adequate and necessary medical care”.
Imaan Mazari Hadi Chattha release: the case so far
On Jan 24, an Islamabad sessions court sentenced Mazari and Chattha to a total of 17 years in prison on multiple charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), in a case linked to social media posts. The convictions drew widespread condemnation from lawyers’ bodies and UN experts.
On Sept 17, the Supreme Court suspended the couple’s sentences and ordered their release on bail against surety bonds of Rs200,000 each. Hours later, they were re-arrested on terrorism-related charges in a separate, older case.
Who are Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Chattha?
Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir is a human rights lawyer, and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha is also a lawyer. Both have been vocal on rights issues and were arrested in January in a case tied to social media posts.
What were they convicted of?
An Islamabad sessions court convicted them on multiple charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act on Jan 24, handing down sentences totalling 17 years. The ruling was condemned by lawyers and UN experts.
What happened after the Supreme Court granted bail?
On Sept 17, the Supreme Court suspended their sentences and ordered their release on bail against surety bonds of Rs200,000 each. Hours later, the couple was re-arrested on terrorism-related charges in a separate older case.
What have UN experts asked Pakistan to do?
The experts have asked Pakistan to release the couple immediately, drop what they describe as unfounded criminal and terrorism charges, and ensure the pair has access to counsel of their choice, family contact and adequate medical care.
