Amnesty Slams Pakistan After Human Rights Lawyers Get 10-Year Jails
Amnesty International slams Pakistan's judiciary after human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha were sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Amnesty International has launched a scathing attack on Pakistan’s judicial system following the conviction of two prominent human rights lawyers, Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha. An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has sentenced the legal professionals to ten years in prison, a move the global watchdog describes as a blatant attempt to stifle dissent.
'An Indictment of Justice'
Yasmine Ahmed, the Senior Director for Regional Human Rights Impact at Amnesty International, did not mince words, calling the convictions an indictment of the Pakistani justice system. According to Ahmed, the state is weaponizing anti-terrorism laws to target human rights defenders and silence those who dare to speak out against the establishment.
The organization highlighted several alarming irregularities during the legal proceedings, asserting that the trial failed to meet the most basic standards of a fair trial. Amnesty pointed out that the lawyers were initially barred from attending their own hearings in person.
Trials Behind Cages
In a shocking detail regarding the court's conduct, the trial was eventually moved to the prison premises. Reports indicate that during these proceedings, Mazari and Chattha were forced to remain behind a cage-like structure, further emphasizing the restrictive environment of the trial.
Amnesty International alleges that the two lawyers are being targeted specifically because of their advocacy work and their commitment to the principles of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
A History of Advocacy and Persecution
Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha are well-known for their courage in representing marginalized communities. Their legal work has frequently focused on:
- Victims of enforced disappearances.
- Individuals facing unjust state prosecutions.
- Those accused under Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws.
The legal battle for the duo has been a rollercoaster of arrests and temporary reliefs. On January 24, 2026, they were handed prison sentences ranging from 10 to 17 years under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). These charges stemmed from social media posts where they criticized the military and voiced support for Pashtun and Baloch activists.
The Cycle of Arrests
While the Supreme Court of Pakistan had stepped in on September 17 to suspend their sentences and grant bail, the freedom was short-lived. Reportedly, the two were rearrested on the very same day under a different set of anti-terrorism charges.
These newer cases involve allegations of:
- Raising anti-government slogans and blocking roads during a protest by Baloch activists in March 2025.
- The alleged removal of security barriers during a cricket match held in 2024.
Concerns Over Judicial Independence
This latest verdict comes at a time of heightened tension regarding the independence of the judiciary in Pakistan. Observers have noted growing concerns following the passage of the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments, which critics argue have weakened the courts' ability to act as a check on state power.
Amnesty International has demanded that the Pakistani authorities immediately withdraw all charges against Mazari and Chattha and grant them their unconditional release.