Human Rights Lawyers Arrested in Pakistan Amid Growing Concerns

Islamabad police arrested prominent human rights lawyers Amaan Mazari and her husband, Abdul Hadi, on charges of interfering in government matters, leading to a security risk, Associated Press reported yesterday.

The couple attempted to remove a police blockade in the capital, which had been set up for the security of England’s cricket team, claiming they were late for a court appearance.

The independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan condemned their arrest, labeling the charges as vague and indicative of a troubling trend against activists in the country. The commission called for their immediate release and the dropping of all charges. This incident highlights the increasing risks faced by rights defenders in Pakistan, where government actions have increasingly restricted dissent and criticism. Mazari and Hadi are known for representing journalists and activists detained without due process, raising alarms about the shrinking space for human rights advocacy in the nation.