International rights groups demand release of lawyers Imaan, Chattha

International rights groups demand release of lawyers Imaan, Chattha

ISLAMABAD: A joint statement by 15 international civil society organisations working on the protection of lawyers, human rights and freedom of expression has called on Pakistani authorities to immediately release Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha and “give full effect to the Supreme Court’s order of 17 September 2026.” Through the joint statement, the organisations demanded that the government ensure that any continued deprivation of liberty is subject to a clear legal basis and rigorous, independent judicial scrutiny. “Drop all charges based on the legitimate exercise of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, human rights advocacy, and the lawful performance of their professional duties as lawyers. Disclose the factual and legal basis for their re-arrest and ensure rigorous judicial scrutiny of the arbitrary use of the Anti-Terrorism Act in the latest proceedings,” the statement read. It called for “guaranteeing their full fair-trial rights, including access to counsel of their choosing, adequate time and facilities to prepare their defence, their physical presence during proceedings, the ability to challenge prosecution evidence, and decisions through reasoned judicial orders.” The organisations demanded that the government ensure the safety and dignity of Mazari-Hazir and Chattha while they are detained, including confidential and unrestricted access to legal counsel, appropriate medical care, contact with their families, and protection from torture or other ill-treatment. “End any pattern of reprisals, intimidation or persecution through judicial processes against Mazari-Hazir and Chattha and other lawyers and human rights defenders for carrying out legitimate professional work, including human rights work,” the statement read. It further called on the government of Pakistan to “ensure that all lawyers in Pakistan can carry out their professional functions independently and safely, including representing unpopular or politically sensitive clients, without being associated with their clients’ causes or subjected to retaliation”. “The independence of lawyers is an essential component of the right to a fair trial and of the rule of law itself. Judicial remedies cannot be meaningful if a grant of liberty by one court is followed immediately by detention through another proceeding without compelling and independently scrutinised justification,” the statement read. Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2026