We are concerned about the breakdown of law and order and the significant rise in human rights violations in Pakistan since the fall of the elected government led by former Prime Minister, Imran Khan.

We will hold the establishment and government of Pakistan accountable for violations of Pakistani and international law at the United Nations and other legal and political institutions.

We will provide legal support to individuals including journalists, lawyers and politicians who are subject to rights violations, persecution and intimidation by the current Pakistani government and the establishment.

WE NEED your support for this essential legal work.

About the case

Pakistan has descended into chaos where its citizens have faced arbitrary detention and torture whilst in prison. Allegations have been made that women supportive of Imran Khan will be raped and news agencies have provided credible reports that journalists, protesters and staff of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) are being illegally detained, tortured and killed.

The very many cases of human rights violation include the cases of Pakistani journalists Arshad Sharif and Imran Riaz Khan. Arshad, who fled from Pakistan following threats to his life, was tragically killed in Kenya in strange circumstances according to international media reports. Many suspect that the threats to kill him were actually carried out. Imran Riaz Khan was abducted and incarcerated in May 2023 for reporting on and being critical of the atrocities being committed by Pakistan’s government. He remains in detention.

Reports indicate that the Pakistani government has extended its threats to dual citizens that live abroad and speak out against the atrocities being committed by issuing statements that they will also be targeted.

Pakistan is losing any semblance of being a democracy and rapidly declining into an autocratic state, where the rule of law is repeatedly being abused by the Pakistani authorities. Freedom of expression, assembly and protest have all been dangerously curtailed and restrictions have been placed on the media and access to the internet restricted.

The Constitution of Pakistan has for all purposes been suspended under the current regime.

What will we do?

Any legal complaint is only as strong as the evidence it is based on. We are in the process of collating first-hand witness testimonies in relation to the many allegations of human rights violations being made in Pakistan. 

We have instructed our lawyers to assist in collating and submitting evidence to the United Nations and Governments across the world in order to raise the very many serious human rights violations at the highest international level. 

We have also instructed our legal team to provide lawyers, journalists and other individuals direct legal support in Pakistan and elsewhere to ensure that their rights are asserted and protected.

Our legal team

Citizens Against State Torture has instructed Bindmans LLP, a leading London based human rights law firm who have experience in seeking justice for those subject to the most horrendous political crimes around the world.

Bindmans LLP will lead a legal team consisting of leading internationally recognised lawyers to intervene in cases which violate human rights and international law in Pakistan.

Please donate and be a part of this historic case.

Further Information 

Further information can be found at www.citizensagainststatetorture.co.uk.