The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) condemned any and all acts of violence targeting political parties and candidates in the days leading up to Thursday’s election.

Liz Throssell, a representative, stated that there have been at least 24 reported cases of armed groups launching assaults on political party members.

Persecution, apprehensions and custody

The OHCHR expressed worry about the recurrent occurrence of harassment, arrests, and extended detentions of the leaders and followers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Numerous legal proceedings have been initiated against Mr. Khan, resulting in his disqualification as a candidate and imposition of lengthy prison sentences.

“We anticipate that the higher courts will thoroughly examine these findings in accordance with proper due process and the right to a fair trial, as well as Pakistan’s broader international human rights responsibilities. It is imperative that all eligible parties have the opportunity to compete fairly,” stated Ms. Throssell.

Women and minorities 

She stated that the election serves as a reminder of the obstacles that women and minority groups, such as the Ahmadis, face in Pakistan.

Although 22 percent of seats in the National Assembly are designated for women, certain political parties seem to have failed to comply with the legal requirement of having at least five percent of female candidates on their party lists.

She stated that segregated voter registers, such as those for the Ahmadis, make them vulnerable to mistreatment and harm, even though the Pakistani constitution grants equal rights to minority groups.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that elections are a crucial opportunity to reaffirm a nation’s dedication to human rights and democracy, and to guarantee equal participation for all individuals, including women and minority groups.

Keeping in mind the political history of Pakistan, Mr. Türk urged the government to guarantee a completely fair and open election and to reaffirm their commitment to democracy and creating a climate that upholds and safeguards human rights.

Source: news.un.org