Pakistan: Malala arrests must lead to better protection for human rights defenders
| Publisher | Amnesty International |
| Publication Date | 12 September 2014 |
| Cite as | Amnesty International, Pakistan: Malala arrests must lead to better protection for human rights defenders, 12 September 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5417e1644.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Today's arrest of the suspects in the assassination attempt on Malala Yousafzai offers an important opportunity for the authorities to address their poor record in protecting human rights defenders in Pakistan, Amnesty International said.
"By her words and deeds, the brave education rights activist Malala Yousafzai proved that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword," said Mustafa Qadri, Amnesty International's Pakistan Researcher.
"But human rights defenders promoting the rights of women and girls in her native Swat and across Pakistan remain especially at risk of deadly attacks and other abuse from the Taliban and other groups, not least because of the authorities' continued failure to hold the perpetrators to account.
"Human rights defenders play a critical role in promoting the rights of everyone in Pakistan society. With the world watching, it is critical that Pakistan seizes this opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to human rights, justice and rule of law."
Pakistan's military today announced that 10 members of the Pakistani Taliban, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, suspected of involvement in the 2012 attack on Malala Yousafzai had been arrested.
"The arrested men must be treated humanely at all times. If there is credible, admissible evidence against them they should be brought to trial in proceedings which meet international standards of fairness and without recourse to the death penalty," said said Mustafa Qadri.
