United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture, Alice Jill Edwards, urged Pakistan to take immediate and effective action to address reports of inhumane and undignified detention conditions of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, warning that they could amount to torture and other inhuman or degrading treatment.
“I call on Pakistani authorities to ensure that Khan’s conditions of detention fully comply with international norms and standards,” Edwards said.
Her comments came as Khan’s sisters staged protests outside Adiala Jail over the prison official’s denial of meeting between the incarcerated leader and family members despite court orders.
The Government in Islamabad has not reacted to UN Rapporteur’s remarks but the cabinet members insisted recently that Imran Khan is being provided all facilities under the law. They have also blamed Imran Khan’s family for using the issue for politicking.
Views News Now has reached the government for its position on the UN statement.
Imran Khan being kept incommunicado, sister says after 1st meeting since October
However, the world body’s rapporteur observed that Khan has been kept in solitary confinement.
“Since his transfer to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on 26 September 2023, Imran Khan has reportedly been held for excessive periods in solitary confinement, confined for 23 hours a day in his cell, and with highly restricted access to the outside world,” she said. “His cell is reportedly under constant camera surveillance.”
The Special Rapporteur stressed that prolonged or indefinite solitary confinement is prohibited under international human rights law – and when it extends longer than 15 days, it constitutes a form of psychological torture.
“Khan’s solitary confinement should be lifted without delay. Not only is it an unlawful measure, extended isolation can bring about very harmful consequences for his physical and mental health,” she said.
According to information received, Khan is not permitted outdoor activity or interaction with other detainees and is unable to join communal prayers. Visits from lawyers, family members and others authorized by the courts are frequently interrupted or ended prematurely, the UN Office of Human Rights said.
Imran Khan’s sisters protest his solitary confinement as concerns grow about his health
Imran Khan is held in a small cell that lacks natural light and adequate ventilation. Temperatures reportedly become extreme in both winter and summer, and poor air circulation leads to foul odors and insect infestations. As a result, he has reportedly suffered nausea, vomiting, and noticeable weight loss, the world body’s human rights office said in a news release.
“Anyone deprived of liberty must be treated with humanity and dignity,” the expert said. “Detention conditions must reflect the individual’s age and health situation, including appropriate sleeping arrangements, climatic protection, adequate space, lighting, heating, and ventilation.”
Imran Khan, aged 72, has a history of significant health issues, including a serious spinal injury from a 2013 accident and gunshot wounds from a 2022 assassination attempt, according to the statement.
“Khan has reportedly been denied adequate medical attention,” Edwards said. “I urge the authorities to allow a visit by his personal physicians.”
The Special Rapporteur has raised Imran Khan’s situation with the Government of Pakistan and will continue to follow developments.
Asim Tanveer is a seasoned journalist working for TV and electronic and print media outlets. He has been working for some of the world’s leading news organizations including Associated Press (AP), Reuters, BBC, CNN, CNBC, Star TV, Voice of America and The New York Times for more than 30 years. He has won several awards for his live coverage of events that include a Reuters News Agency World Award and the Pride of Performance award in 1997.
