South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR), a regional network of human rights defenders, vehemently condemns the re-arrest of human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha in Pakistan, immediately after the Supreme Court granted them bail and suspended their sentences on 17 September 2026.
The two lawyers had been detained since January 2026 following their conviction and sentencing in connection with social media posts critical of state authorities. They were sentenced to imprisonment under provisions of the draconian Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), including offences relating to cyber terrorism, glorification of an offence and the dissemination of false or fake information. Their convictions and prolonged detention raised serious concerns regarding freedom of expression, due process guarantees and the use of criminal law against human rights defenders.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, and even as arrangements were being made for their release, Mazari-Hazir and Chattha were taken into police custody on the evening of 17 September 2026, and subsequently produced before an anti-terrorism court. Their re-arrest was in connection with a separate case registered on 22 March 2025, relating to their alleged participation in a protest in Islamabad.
These latest charges, brought in connection with their participation in a peaceful protest, raise serious concerns regarding the use of criminal proceedings to restrict the fundamental right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
SAHR is particularly concerned that the invocation of an older case immediately following the Supreme Court’s decision raises serious questions regarding the necessity and proportionality of their continued detention. SAHR is further concerned by the use of PECA’s broad and vague provisions relating to “cyberterrorism,” “glorification,” and “false information” against government critics, lawyers and journalists. The application of such provisions to legitimate expression risks undermining freedom of expression, restricting peaceful dissent and creating a chilling effect on those who speak out on matters of public interest.
SAHR calls on the Pakistani authorities to immediately drop charges linked to the legitimate exercise of fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and to end the use of criminal proceedings to penalise human rights advocacy. Any continued detention of Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha must be based on a clear, lawful, and evidence-based justification consistent with Pakistan’s international human rights obligations. Furthermore, the proceedings have also raised concerns regarding access to legal representation. An anti-terrorism court recently issued a contempt of court notice to the superintendent of Adiala Jail over allegations that the required powers of attorney (vakalatnamas) for Mazari-Hazir and Chattha were not facilitated for signing and transmission, preventing their lawyers from filing bail petitions. Such procedural obstacles further underscore the need to ensure that the two lawyers have prompt and effective access to legal counsel and all necessary safeguards to exercise their right to a fair trial.
SAHR urges the Pakistani authorities to:
- Immediately review the continued detention of Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha and ensure that any deprivation of liberty is on a lawful, necessary and proportionate basis;
- Ensure that Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha have regular and confidential access to legal counsel, family members and any necessary medical care while in detention;
- Ensure that all proceedings against the two lawyers comply fully with international fair trial and due process standards;
- Ensure that criminal laws, including the broad and vague provisions of PECA and the Anti-Terrorism Act, are not used to criminalise peaceful expression, legitimate human rights advocacy or the exercise of the right to peaceful assembly;
- Protect lawyers and human rights defenders from intimidation, harassment, retaliation and improper interference in accordance with international human rights standards; and
- Ensure that Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha are able to freely and effectively exercise their right to legal representation, including by facilitating without delay the signing and transmission of their powers of attorney (vakalatnamas).
SAHR further urges the Government of Pakistan to uphold the rule of law and ensure that the criminal justice system is not used to restrict legitimate human rights advocacy, peaceful expression, or dissent. SAHR reminds the government that the protection of lawyers and human rights defenders is fundamental to ensuring access to justice, accountability, and effective protection of fundamental freedoms in Pakistan.
On behalf of members of South Asians for Human Rights
Dr. Roshmi Goswami
Co-Chairperson
Dr. P. Saravanamuttu
Bureau Member