ISLAMABAD: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Wednesday strongly opposed the decision of the government and the military to try arson attackers on army installations under Army Act and the Official Secret Act.
Calling for accountability for the destruction across cities, the human rights body demanded that “due process” be followed for civilians who were found involved in damaging public and private property including those owned by the military after protestors barged into cantonment areas.
“HRCP strongly opposes the use of the Pakistan Army Act 1952 and Official Secrets Act 1923 to try civilians. While those responsible for arson and damaging public and private property during the recent protests should be held to account, they remain entitled to due process,” the human rights body tweeted.
In its tweet disagreeing with the use of the military acts against civilians, the HRCP further mentioned that cases of even those who have been previously tried under these acts must have their trials shifted to civil courts.
“All those civilians tried under these acts in the past should also have their cases transferred to civil courts,” their tweet added.
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