BRUSSELS: The European Union has expressed concern over the verdicts of military courts against civilians in the May 9 cases.
According to a foreign news agency, a statement issued by the European External Action Service on December 21 said that these verdicts on the sentences of civilians are in conflict with Pakistan’s International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Pakistan has ratified under its international obligations.
The European Union says that under Article 14 of the ICCPR, everyone has the right to a fair and public hearing, which includes an independent, impartial and competent hearing.
Furthermore, Article 14 also specifies that judgments in criminal cases shall be delivered in public.
The statement also said that Pakistan has adhered to 27 international conventions, including the ICCPR, under the European Union’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP+). Under this scheme, Pakistan enjoys trade privileges.
It may be recalled that on December 20, 25 individuals involved in the May 9 tragedy in Pakistan were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for a period of 2 to 10 years by military courts.
These individuals were accused of taking action against state institutions, as a result of which military courts tried and sentenced them.
