UN Expert Urges Pakistan to End Imran Khan Detention Abuses

A United Nations human rights expert has raised concerns about the detention conditions of former prime minister Imran Khan in Pakistan, urging authorities to bring them in line with international norms. The call comes as the country remains enveloped in political turmoil and legal wrangles surrounding Khan and his supporters.

The UN Special Rapporteur on torture highlighted that reports of inhumane and undignified detention have been received, and she stressed that prolonged or indefinite solitary confinement is prohibited under international law. When isolation extends beyond 15 days, it can amount to a form of psychological torture, underscoring the potential harm to Khan’s physical and mental health. The expert urged Pakistani authorities to ensure Khan’s conditions meet global standards and to permit appropriate outdoor activity, contact with legal counsel, and regular visits by family as allowed by the courts.

According to information available, Khan has been held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since August 2023 in multiple cases. Observers have noted restrictions on outdoor time and interruptions to visits from lawyers and family. The expert’s formal communication with the Government of Pakistan aims to prompt prompt, concrete steps to address these concerns and to prevent further harm to Khan’s well-being while in detention.

The exchange signals a broader international scrutiny of how political detainees are treated in Pakistan, with human rights watchdogs calling for transparency and adherence to established standards. As Pakistan navigates internal and external pressures, the focus remains on ensuring that detention practices comply with universally accepted rights protections, avoiding prolonged isolation and safeguarding detainees’ dignity and health.

Cover image source: UN expert calls on Pakistan to end ‘inhumane’ detention, solitary confinement of Imran Khan 🔗

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