Paris, 27 November 2024. On 7 November 2024, the CCPR issued its concluding observations on the situation of civil and political rights in Pakistan, following the review of the country’s second periodic report under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The review was held on 17 and 18 October 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland. The CCPR monitors state parties’ compliance with their legal obligations under the ICCPR. Pakistan is a state party to the ICCPR.
In the concluding observations, the CCPR expressed concern over a wide range of issues, many of which had been raised by FIDH and HRCP in their joint shadow report released ahead of the CCPR’s review.
For example, on the issue of enforced disappearances, the CCPR recommended that Pakistan enact legislation to define all forms of enforced disappearances, with appropriate penalties in accordance with international law. The CCPR also recommended that Pakistan consider ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED).
The CCPR recommended that Pakistan take immediate measures to review legislation related to military courts and end their use in cases involving civilians, to ensure that proceedings in military courts are held in full compliance with Articles 14 and 15 of the ICCPR on fair trial rights.
With regard to the treatment of foreign nationals, the CCPR recommended that Pakistan accelerate efforts to enact an asylum and refugee law in line with international law and protect "individuals with international protection needs" against forced returns.
The CCPR expressed concerns over violations of the right to freedom of expression, including Internet shutdowns, and called on Pakistan to put an end to all measures that unduly restrict this right. It also recommended that Pakistan consider decriminalising defamation and ensure that counter-terrorism legislation is not used to silence journalists, human rights defenders, and other forms of dissent.
Finally, in relation to the right to peaceful assembly, the CCPR expressed concerns regarding legislation that unduly restricts this right, and recommended that Pakistan take immediate steps to amend its legislative framework in line with Article 21 of the ICCPR. It also recommended that all allegations of excessive use of force and other violations committed in the context of assemblies be fully investigated and that perpetrators be brought to justice.
The CCPR requested that Pakistan provide an update to the CCPR by 8 November 2027 on three priority issues: counter-terrorism measures; independence of the judiciary; and freedom of expression and the safety of journalists and human rights defenders.