The European Union (EU) has raised concerns over the conviction of 25 people by military courts for their involvement in the May 9 attacks on public facilities in Pakistan, according to media reports on Sunday.
The EU’s European External Action Service stressed that the verdicts appeared inconsistent with Pakistan’s commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
The EU statement highlights that Article 14 of the ICCPR guarantees every individual the right to a fair and public trial before an independent, impartial and competent tribunal and to adequate legal representation. Furthermore, she noted that any judgment rendered in a criminal case must be made public.
Pakistan benefits from the EU’s Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+), under which the country has voluntarily committed to implementing 27 international conventions, including the ICCPR. The EU reiterated the importance of respecting these commitments in order to maintain the benefits of GSP+.
The military court sentenced the defendants to prison terms ranging from two to 10 years, marking the first phase of verdicts linked to the May 9 violence.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), these individuals were involved in politically motivated attacks on military installations, including the General Headquarters (GHQ). The ISPR described these incidents as a “dark chapter in Pakistan’s history” and claimed that they were orchestrated acts of political terrorism.
The attacks, which coincided with the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in a corruption case, sparked protests and widespread violence. More than 100 civilians would be tried by the military in connection with these events.
The military’s media wing said all convicts retain the right to appeal under the law and the Constitution. He also indicated that the sentences handed down against the other accused would be announced following due process.
The PTI has denied any involvement in the attacks, including those targeting military installations, and has called for an independent judicial investigation. The party continues to distance itself from violent events, saying these incidents were not sanctioned by its leadership.
Military trials, which were halted following a Supreme Court ruling, have resumed following a recent directive from the Constitutional Court, allowing ongoing cases to continue. The development has sparked new debates about the balance between national security and individual rights, with human rights groups and international organizations closely monitoring the situation.
