Responding to reports of multiple deaths and arrests of protesters from the Pakistan Movement for Justice (PTI), an opposition political party, in Islamabad on November 26 and 27, Babu Ram Pant, Deputy Regional Director for South Asia at Amnesty International, said:
“Once again, protesters in Pakistan have faced brutal and deadly repression surrounded by cruel opacity from the authorities. The escalation of violence, the cutting of mobile Internet services, the mass arrests and the hostile comments made by the authorities against PTI demonstrators suggest a systematic intolerance for the exercise of the right to freedom of expression. peaceful assembly throughout the country. A similar crackdown against Baloch and Pashtun protesters was seen earlier in the year.
Amnesty International calls for a thorough, impartial, effective and transparent investigation to be carried out as soon as possible into the deaths and injuries of demonstrators as well as the unlawful use of force, including lethal and lethal weapons. reduced, by members of the security forces.
Babu Ram Pant, Babu Ram Pant, Deputy Regional Director for South Asia at Amnesty International
“Disturbing information and testimonies regarding the illegal use of force, including the use of live ammunition against demonstrators, during a communications blackout by the authorities, have emerged since yesterday. Continued restrictions on media and independent observer coverage make it difficult to verify the number of deaths and injuries and raise urgent questions about accountability for human rights violations.
“Amnesty International calls for a thorough, impartial, effective and transparent investigation to be carried out as soon as possible into the deaths and injuries of demonstrators as well as the unlawful use of force, including lethal weapons and weapons. reduced lethality, by members of the security forces. The authorities must also immediately release all protesters detained solely for exercising their right to freedom of peaceful assembly. »
Additional information
The PTI has announced protests in the capital Islamabad on November 24, 2024 to call for the release of former Prime Minister and party leader Imran Khan. In response, the government disrupted internet access across the country and cut off mobile internet in Islamabad for four days. Blockades were set up on the country’s main roads and on all routes leading to Islamabad to hinder the movement of protesters. Some 4,000 PTI supporters were reportedly arrested before the protests and around 610 on November 26.
From November 26 to 27, multiple clashes took place between protesters and law enforcement agencies, after the government sent the army into the capital invoking provisions regarding “attacks”. external threats or threats of war” in the Constitution of Pakistan. There were reports of illegal use of tear gas and some “shoot on sight orders” against protesters. The exact number of dead and injured is unknown, due to information restrictions, but on the morning of November 27, the BBC reported the deaths of at least six people – including four members of the security forces.
