Pakistan’s Human Rights Situation Deteriorates in 2023, Says HRCP

Pakistan’s human rights record took a significant downturn in 2023, with the government demonstrating a “blatant disregard” for the country’s constitution, according to a new report by the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) cited by VOA yesterday.

The report highlighted a range of issues that weakened Pakistani democracy last year, including the prolonged stay of unelected caretaker governments and the parliament passing laws granting more powers to security agencies.

The human rights situation reached a new low on May 9, 2023, when supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan stormed military and government installations to protest his arrest. “The state retaliated with a fierce crackdown and mass arrests of thousands of party workers and leaders, including women,” the report said.

The HRCP recorded at least 15 internet shutdowns and bans on gatherings of more than four people to restrict political activities. The report also documented 82 cases of men and 7 women being forcibly disappeared, with nearly 2,300 unresolved cases of missing persons by the end of 2023.

“Unless those who pick people up are not brought to justice, unless they are punished, this problem cannot be resolved,” said HRCP chairperson Asad Iqbal Butt, adding that the issue of enforced disappearances was hurting public trust in state institutions.

HRCP has called for stronger legislation to determine the mandate of security agencies, urging the government to ratify the United Nations’ International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.