Pakistan: Rights Lawyers Receive 10-Year Sentences

In a significant ruling, an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan sentenced human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha to ten years in prison. This decision, made on October 29, 2026, is part of a broader crackdown on civil society by the Pakistani government, raising serious concerns about the state of human rights in the country.

The lawyers were charged under the anti-terrorism act for allegedly obstructing police during a road closure, a move criticized as an attempt to silence advocates for fundamental rights. Human Rights Watch has condemned the sentences, calling them a chilling message to those who speak out against injustices in Pakistan.

Mazari and Chattha have a history of defending vulnerable populations, including journalists and victims of blasphemy laws. Their convictions highlight the increasing risks faced by human rights defenders in Pakistan, where legal protections are increasingly under threat from government actions.