ISLAMABAD: The Special Rapporteur of the United Nations on the independence of judges and lawyers has urged Pakistan’s government to reconsider the proposed 26th constitutional amendment.
Margaret Satterthwaite expressed her concern in a letter that she sent to the federal government on October 14 that the proposed constitutional package might actually put a real threat to the independence of the judiciary as well as to individuals’ rights to a fair hearing by a competent, independent, and impartial tribunal, which are guaranteed by Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
In order to ensure that the proposal complies fully with international human rights obligations, the rapporteur offered to communicate with the government to provide any technical guidance.
The letter emphasizes the implications of the proposed amendments for the protection of human rights in Pakistan and the independence of the judiciary, particularly the right to a fair trial and access to appeals and judicial review before impartial courts.
