Letter to the authorities of Pakistan on the situation and trial of lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir

Pakistan

Lawyers for Lawyers has recently sent a letter to the Pakistan authorities in support of the defense and release of Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, a renowned Pakistan human rights lawyer.

Today, Friday 16 February 2024, marks the start of the trial of Pakistan human rights lawyer and defender Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, arrested and charged because of her professional legal activities and vocal stance on human rights abuses in religious and ethnic communities.

Ms. Imaan Mazari is a distinguished human rights lawyer, widely respected for her advocacy on behalf of persecuted religious and ethnic communities, especially on offenses perpetrated by the Pakistani military and security forces and one of the few lawyers representing missing persons in Islamabad. Ms. Imaan Mazari was arrested, without an arrest warrant, on 20 August 2023 based on the Anti-Terrorism Act for various crimes including sedation and disruption of State affairs, following a public speech she gave two days prior. Ms. Imaan Mazari was granted bail before being rearrested a few hours later on a charge of funding terrorism and being released on bail on 2 September 2024. 

Lawyers for Lawyers is deeply concerned by the continuous arrest of lawyers under the Anti-Terrorism Act, the lack of respect for the principles of a fair and impartial trial and for the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, notably principles 16 and 23. 

Lawyers for Lawyers stands with Ms Imaan Mazari and urges the Pakistan authorities to cease the arbitrary investigations into Ms. Mazari and other lawyers aimed at impairing their work as human rights lawyers and their right to freedom of expression, to take the necessary steps to prevent such investigations from reoccurring and ensure the free exercise of the legal profession in Pakistan.

To read the full letter sent to the Pakistan authorities click here.