Pakistan Under Review by UN Human Rights Committee
Amnesty International has raised concerns about the rampant human rights violations and abuses in Pakistan, as the country prepares for its second review by the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva on October 17 and 18 under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Recent incidents include the ban on the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) and two blasphemy-related extrajudicial killings by the police. The government has also imposed a ban on the PTM, citing threats to national peace and security, which was later agreed to be lifted with some conditions.
Furthermore, Baloch rights activist Dr. Mahrang Baloch has been booked in a terrorism case over allegedly inciting people by leveling allegations against security institutions. She was also barred from boarding a flight to New York where she was scheduled to attend a Time magazine function.
Amnesty has called for thorough investigations into the extrajudicial killings and the revocation of the ban on PTM, emphasizing the importance of upholding freedom of association and peaceful assembly in the country.
Overall, the upcoming review presents an opportunity for the Pakistani government to address the human rights concerns raised and implement concrete measures to improve the state of human rights in the country.