Investigate firing on protestors, AI asks Pakistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): Amnesty International (AI) has called firing by Pakistani forces at a peaceful protest against the international human rights law and a violation of their right to peaceful rallies.

On X, the global watchdog asked the government of Pakistan to promptly investigate and hold to account officials responsible for the attack.

A number of people reportedly suffered casualties when Pakistani soldiers opened fire at protesters in the Bannu district of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Friday.

Tens of thousands of people staged a protest demonstration against a recently launched military operation in Bannu.

In June, the military launched operations in Bannu and some other areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province against local militants.

AI wrote: “Firing by officers on peaceful protestors in Bannu today (Friday) resulting in the death and injury of several protestors, is a violation of their rights to peaceful assembly under international human rights law and Pakistan’s own Constitution.”

The organisation called the use of lethal force at a peaceful rally unlawful and at odds with the UNbBasic principles on the use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials.

Further, restrictions on mobile internet services in Bannu curtailed the people’s ability to mobilise, increased the spread of misinformation during emergencies, and created panic, it argued.

According to AI, the government of Pakistan has repeatedly failed to promote and facilitate peaceful assembly, and to ensure the safety of protestors.

“Amnesty urges the government to promptly investigate and hold to account officials responsible for the attack. We also urge the Pakistani government to issue strict directives in line with the UN basic principles on the use of weapons,” it added.

sa/mud

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