The United Nation’s top human rights body warned of a “pattern of harassment” against members of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party ahead of this week’s parliamentary election.
During a news briefing in Geneva, Liz Throssell, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, urged Pakistani authorities to ensure a fully free and fair voting process.
This came amid complaints by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party of harassment and the inability to hold rallies similar to the former ruling party and its candidate Nawaz Sharif. Authorities have denied such claims.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern over violent incidents ahead of the upcoming general elections set to take place on February 8 (tomorrow).
#Pakistan: Ahead of parliamentary election, we deplore all acts of violence against political parties & candidates.
UN Human Rights Chief @volker_turk appeals to the authorities to ensure free & fair vote, & to recommit to the democratic process.
— UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) February 6, 2024
“We deplore all acts of violence against political parties and candidates, and urge the authorities to uphold the fundamental freedoms necessary for an inclusive and meaningful democratic process,” spokesperson Liz Throssell said in a statement.
In her statement, the UN spokesperson underscored that “no less than 24” incidents have occurred where armed groups have targetted political parties, and called on the authorities to “ensure a fully free and fair vote and to recommit to the democratic process and an environment that promotes and protects the full range of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights”.
