US, UK and EU condemn Pakistan military courts over sentencing of civilians

24/12/2024 7:37

The U.S., UK and EU criticized Pakistan's military courts on Monday over the sentencing of 25 civilians in connection with attacks on military facilities in 2023 after the arrest of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.



The civilians were sentenced by a Pakistani military court to periods of two to 10 years in a ruling that underscored concerns among Khan's supporters that military courts will play a bigger role in cases related to the former leader.



Washington "is deeply concerned that Pakistani civilians have been sentenced by a military tribunal for their involvement in protests on May 9, 2023," the U.S. State Department said.



The British government's foreign office added that "trying civilians in military courts lacks transparency, independent scrutiny and undermines the right to a fair trial."



The European Union said the sentences were "inconsistent with the obligations that Pakistan has undertaken under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights."