Islamabad, April 24: A new report has raised serious concerns about significant flaws in Pakistan’s legal protection system and allegations of custodial torture. This alternative report was submitted by the National Commission for Human Rights to the United Nations Committee Against Torture, highlighting several critical issues.
The report comes ahead of a review of Pakistan’s commitments under the Convention Against Torture. It underscores the ineffective implementation of the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act, 2022, and the prevalence of torture in custody.
According to the report, Pakistan ratified the Convention Against Torture in 2010, yet a lack of adequate legal safeguards and accountability persists. While some progress has been made, many significant problems remain. These include the absence of a clear definition of torture that aligns with international standards, the exclusion of mental suffering, insufficient provisions for punishment, and inadequate arrangements for victim rehabilitation and compensation.
The report also points to procedural weaknesses, such as the lack of a clear system for filing complaints and conducting investigations, inconsistencies with international standards for medical examinations, and limited provisions for independent or suo motu investigations.
Despite legal provisions, allegations of torture by law enforcement agencies continue to surface. The report indicates a prevailing belief in Pakistan that torture is an effective means of combating crime, especially when police face resource shortages and courts are overwhelmed with cases.
Meanwhile, the demand for an independent investigation into the alleged police encounter deaths of two sons of a female health worker in Muzaffargarh, Punjab, has highlighted a decline in public trust in the justice system. The report states that incidents of police killing suspects under the guise of “encounters” appear to be becoming a systematic trend.
Media reports indicate that hundreds of police encounters in Punjab have resulted in numerous deaths in recent months. Alarmingly, in some cases, these incidents have received political endorsement, indirectly supporting extrajudicial methods.
The report warns that such trends not only reflect the failure of the justice system but also blur the lines between law and disorder in society.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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