WASHINGTON: The United States voiced apprehension over sentences handed to 25 Pakistani civilians by military courts linked to the May 9 protests. Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US State Department, stated concerns about the transparency, fairness, and independence of such military court proceedings. He emphasized the necessity of respecting constitutional rights, including the right to a fair trial and justice guarantees.
Miller highlighted the global standards required for court processes and called on Pakistani authorities to adhere to these. His statement stressed the importance of transparent and impartial justice systems to uphold citizens’ fundamental rights.
International Criticism Over Sentences
The remarks follow a wave of criticism from the international community. The UK expressed similar concerns about the verdicts, pointing out the lack of transparency and judicial scrutiny in military court proceedings. London highlighted that the apparent absence of fairness in trials undermines trust in the justice system.
The European Union also reacted, criticizing the sentences handed to civilians. A statement from the EU on December 21 labeled the situation alarming and called for reforms to ensure alignment with international judicial norms.