A call to suspend Pakistan from the Commonwealth for human rights violations – JURIST – Commentary

Pakistan is once again at the center of international concern over widespread human rights abuses, including the suppression of free speech and the blatant abuse of blasphemy laws. These laws continue to fuel horrific acts of mob violence and extrajudicial killings, creating a climate of fear. While global bodies such as the United Nations in Geneva are sounding the alarmprominent political figures and human rights defenders, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, have become targets of state repression. Amnesty International believes that human rights violations in Pakistan are “extensive” and out of control. Human Rights Watch says the human rights situation in Pakistan is too deepened. Movements such as the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), which advocates for the rights of marginalized Pashtuns, have been silenced. Recently, the harassment of Dr. Mahrang Balocha Baloch human rights activist, has attracted international attention. Pakistani authorities prevented her from traveling to the US to receive a prestigious Time Magazine award for her work, further emphasizing the government’s authoritarian grip. It shocked global human rights activists. Malala Yousafzai, one of Pakistan and the world’s most prominent human rights activists, said: “Mahrang Baloch’s activism for the Baloch people should be recognized and not denied. I am disappointed that she could not be personally honored for her advocacy. But I know this will not stop her from continuing to speak out and peacefully protest for human rights,” the spokesperson said. after on X, the social media platform. The frustration is growing.

Pakistan’s membership in the Commonwealth is now in question open letter calls for its suspension due to the state’s flagrant violations of the law Commonwealth Charter. This growing international pressure, amplified by figures such as Hina Jilani and the late Asma Jahangir, raises the critical question: can Pakistan be forced to reform under the weight of global scrutiny?

A deepening human rights crisis

Pakistan’s human rights landscape has deteriorated dramatically in recent years, with state repression increasingly targeting political movements, journalists and activists. The case of Imran Khan, who was deposed in April 2022 and subsequently arrested on politically motivated charges, is emblematic of this authoritarian trend. Similarly, the ban on the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), which denounces military abuses in tribal areas, underlines the state’s aggressive stance against any group that threatens its dominance. PTM leaders have been harassed, jailed and charged with sedition, reflecting a broader crackdown on dissent.

At the heart of Pakistan’s escalating crisis are the blasphemy laws, which have fostered a culture of impunity for mob violence. Since 1990, at least 85 people have been murdered in connection with blasphemy charges, many of whom were lynched or murdered in public without consequence. These laws disproportionately impact religious minorities – Christians, Ahmadis and others – as well as political dissidents and people with mental health problems. Despite decades of advocacy by human rights figures such as Hina Jilani and Asma Jahangir, the government has failed to implement meaningful reforms.

Joseph Janssen, a prominent human rights defender, has done so pronounced his condemnation of Pakistan’s use of blasphemy laws, stating: “Pakistan is in violation of the Commonwealth Charter because of its systematic disregard for fundamental human rights values, which is especially evident in its blasphemy laws. These laws not only facilitate unlawful arrests and extrajudicial killings, but also foster an environment of fear and violence against vulnerable communities.” Janssen further highlighted several tragedies in recent years, including the murders of Nazir Masih, Muhammad Sulaiman, Syed Khan and Dr. Shahnawaz in 2024, and the mafia attack on Christian settlements in Jaranwala, Faisalabad in 2023. These incidents, he explained, “highlight the inability of state institutions to protect civilians, promotes a dangerous climate of impunity and undermines the principles of democracy and the rule of law.”

The prosecution of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, internationally recognized for her courageous work in documenting human rights violations in Balochistan, is yet another glaring example of Pakistan’s hostility towards human rights defenders. Despite global praise, Pakistani authorities prevented her from traveling to receive her award, mirroring the repression faced by other activists and movements, including the PTM and the broader Baloch rights movement.

The Commonwealth suspension debate: an effective measure?

The Commonwealth Charter enshrines principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law – principles that Pakistan has systematically violated. The state’s failure to protect religious minorities, uphold freedom of expression or prevent extrajudicial violence has led to calls for the Commonwealth to be suspended. In one open letter To the Commonwealth Secretary-General, organizations such as the Jubilee Campaign, Bitter Winter, the European Association for the Defense of Minorities and Human Rights Without Frontiers urged decisive action, stating:

“Despite international condemnation, the government of Pakistan has failed to reform these laws or protect its citizens from mafia violence. Its inaction is in direct conflict with the values ​​espoused by the Commonwealth and damages the credibility of the organization as a force for promoting democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”

Taha Siddiqui, a Pakistani journalist living in exile, echoed this sentiment and condemned the state’s use of blasphemy laws: “Blasphemy laws have not only encouraged violence by the general public in general, but now there is a new trend of law enforcement extrajudicially killing those accused of blasphemy.” He further criticized the Pakistani military for its role in empowering non-state actors: “Pakistan’s state institution – the military, known for its ties to Islamist extremists – has also used non-state actors known as blasphemy brigades for its political objectives against the politicians. and civil society.” Siddiqui called for Pakistan’s suspension from the Commonwealth, arguing: “To pressure Pakistan to reverse this environment of fear, its membership of the Commonwealth should be suspended until it abolishes the blasphemy laws, dismantles the blasphemy brigades and punished law enforcement officers involved in extrajudicial persecution. murder of the suspect.”

Joseph Janssen, a Pakistani Christian who signed the letter, added that “the Commonwealth has a moral obligation to respond decisively and strengthen its commitment to democracy and human rights by considering the suspension of Pakistan. This would not only hold Pakistan to account but also demonstrate solidarity with those who have suffered in captivity under the oppressive legal framework for decades.”

Would human rights reform in Pakistan be suspended?

Suspending Pakistan from the Commonwealth would serve as a strong diplomatic rebuke and signal that the international community will no longer tolerate systematic human rights violations. This move could potentially create enough pressure to force the government to reform, especially regarding the oppressive blasphemy laws and the treatment of activists and political movements.

1. Diplomatic and symbolic impact:
   A suspension would send a clear message: Pakistan’s actions are incompatible with the values ​​upheld by the Commonwealth. The diplomatic isolation could damage Pakistan’s international standing, reinforcing Pakistan’s pariah status on the world stage and increasing scrutiny of its human rights practices.
2. Economic consequences:
   The loss of Commonwealth privileges such as trade concessions and development aid could damage Pakistan’s already fragile economy. Such economic fallout could force the government to reconsider its policies to avoid further isolation, especially given Pakistan’s heavy dependence on external partnerships.
3. Historical precedent for reforms:
   International pressure has worked before. Pakistan was suspended from the Commonwealth in 1999 and again in 2007, leading to moves toward democratic reforms. A similar suspension could now serve as a catalyst for reforms in Pakistan’s blasphemy laws and the treatment of minorities and activists in Pakistan. The tireless work of groups like the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), co-founded by Hina Jilani and Asma Jahangir, already provides a clear roadmap for such reforms.

The persecution and wider oppression of Imran Khan

The prosecution of Imran Khan adds a new layer to the deepening crisis in Pakistan. His political movement, once seen as a challenge to entrenched corruption, is now the target of state repression. The state has arrested Khan’s supporters, silenced the pro-PTI media and dismantled civil society organizations. This broader crackdown on dissent reflects Pakistan’s tendency toward authoritarianism, with not only political opponents but also minority groups and activists systematically targeted.

In conclusion, the escalating human rights crisis in Pakistan requires urgent international attention. Calls for Pakistan’s suspension from the Commonwealth reflect growing frustration over the state’s refusal to protect its citizens from mafia violence, extrajudicial killings and political persecution. Figures like Hina Jilani and the late Asma Jahangir have long warned about these abuses and have tirelessly advocated for legal reforms that would protect the rights of minorities and political activists.

Suspending Pakistan from the Commonwealth would be a crucial step toward holding the government to account and applying pressure for reform. Such action could encourage the abolition of blasphemy laws, protect movements like the PTM, and empower activists like Dr. Being able to protect Mahrang Baloch. While change in Pakistan may be slow and fraught with challenges, sustained international pressure remains essential to push the country to align with global human rights standards.