Pakistan’s Shrinking Civil Liberties and Human Rights violations
Pakistan’s Shrinking Civil Liberties and Human Rights violations
#PartnerEvent
The Geneva Press Club is pleased to welcome the Khyber Institute for Research and Strategic Studies (IRESK) for a conference with :
- Dr. Lahku Lohana, Secretary General World Sindhi Congress.
- Dr. Naseem Baloch, Chairman BNM.
- Dr. Naseer Dashti, Academic and Historian on Balochistan.
- Dr. Eyal Aharon BEERE, Chair Pashtun-Israel Fellowship, Israel.
- Dr. Joseph Chongsi– Director of Centre for Human Rights & Peace Advocacy-Cameroon
- DIBA Akbari, Afghan Journalist and Human rights Defender
- Golali Karimi, Afghan Journalist and Human Rights Defender
- Muzhda Ahmadi, Afghan Girls Education rights Activist
- Fazal Kerim Afridi, President PTM Switzerland
- Dr. Nancy Hartevelt Kobrin, Psychoanalyst & Counter Terrorist Expert, USA.
Moderator : Fazal-ur Rehman AFRIDI—Principal Representative at United Nations of TUMUKU Development & Cultural Union (ECOSOC). President of Khyber Institute for Research & Strategic Studies, France (IRESK), Human Rights Activist, writer & Journalist.
To participate, please use the following links :
We cordially invite you to the Conference titled “Pakistan’s Shrinking Civil Liberties and Human Rights violations” to be held on March 18, 2025 on the sidelines of 58th Session of United Nations Human Rights Council at Geneva Press Club, Switzerland.
The participants and main speakers will be the leaders and activists of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), diplomats, International Observers, Human Rights Defenders, journalists and leaders of oppressed nations from Pakistan; many with direct experience with Human rights situation in Pakistan.
The shrinking space for civil liberties in Pakistan is a significant concern, driven by a combination of political, legal, and security-related factors. While the government often cites national security and stability as justifications for these measures, critics argue that they undermine democracy and human rights. Addressing these challenges will require significant reforms, greater accountability, and a commitment to upholding constitutional rights and freedoms.
Political opponents, particularly those critical of the military or government, often face legal challenges, arrests, arbitrary detentions and torture. The main leaders of PTM like Samad Khan and Ali Wazir former member of Parliament along with a prominent tribal elder Malak Naseer Khan Afridi are languishing in prisons on trumped up charges. More than 400 PTM activists have been illegally arrested and detained arbitrarily under colonial era 3-MPO.
Human Rights Violations particularly Enforced Disappearances , extra-judicial killings, arbitrary detentions and torture in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa linked to state security agencies and Pakistan Army, without accountability.
Restrictions on Assembly and Association, Peaceful protests and demonstration are often met with force, For example, the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) and Baloch rights activists have faced severe crackdowns. Pashtun Protection Movement (PTM) a peaceful, non-violent, anti-war grassroots Movement advocating for the human rights of Pashtun ethnic minority in Pakistan has been banned illegally by Pakistan on October 6, 2024 designating it as a “proscribed organization” , under section 11B of Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997. The ban violates International Law and the constitution of Pakistan. One of the reasons for banning PTM seems to emanate from organization of the Grand Pashtun Jirga/Assembly held on October 11, 2024. More than 2300 members of Pashtun Protection Movement have been put on Schedule 4 of Anti-Terrorism act, meaning they have been declared terrorists, their bank accounts closed, their Identity cards and telephones blocked and they cannot participate in any political activity in Pakistan.
Politicization of Judiciary is a matter of grave concern and accused of being influenced by the military and government, particularly in cases related to Pashtuns and Baloch.
Strict Media Restrictions are imposed where Journalists and media outlets often face pressure, censorship, and even violence. Critical reporting on the military, judiciary, or government can lead to intimidation, arrests, or forced disappearances. The government has increased surveillance and regulation of social media platforms. Laws like the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) have been criticized for being used to stifle dissent and target activists, journalists, and opposition figures.
Lack of Accountability which result in Impunity for human rights abuses by state actors remains a significant issue, with few or no mechanisms for holding perpetrators accountable. The military continues to play a dominant role in politics and governance, often at the expense of democratic institutions and civil liberties.
Human Rights Organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly raised concerns about the deteriorating human rights situation in Pakistan. The United Nations has also highlighted issues such as enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, torture and restrictions on freedom of expression.
Event in English only.