US lawmaker urges Antony Blinken to support human rights, democracy in Pakistan

WASHINGTON: Congressman Brad Sherman has highlighted the human rights and democracy issues in Pakistan in a letter to the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, urging him to reaffirm Washington's support that Islamabad should respect the right to speak, organise, and demonstrate peacefully.

Sherman shared the letter (dated April 12) on his Twitter handle, mentioning the US support of Pakistan during times of need, and asking the country's top diplomat to support human rights in Pakistan as it also served the country's national interest.

“I know human rights are a priority for you, and I recognised your commitment and the Administration's work on democracy, human rights, and rule of law. The United States does not involve itself in Pakistan's internal governmental matters — I respect its constitution and its democratic process — but we must not shy away from raising our voice when the human rights of the Pakistani people are at stake,” he wrote.

The letter comes a week after the telephonic conversation of former prime minister Imran Khan with Sherman, who is one of the most influential US lawmakers and officials now speaking in the favour of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) after it engaged another lobbying firm to project its goals overseas.

“It is critical that we see a calm, orderly, democratic, and prosperous Pakistan where Pakistanis can have a free and open political dialogue," Sherman stated in his three-page letter.

He also expressed alarm over the incidents during the past year, "especially the alleged torture and even sexual abuse of political figures" including Khan's Chief of Staff Shahbaz Gill and journalist Jameel Farooqui.

"Thankfully, they both were released, but the chilling effect of their detention and treatment continues to resonate. Human Rights Watch (HRW) called for an urgent investigation into Gill's complaints, citing ‘numerous credible allegations of torture and ill-treatment of political opponents’ in Pakistan during previous governments. HRW also questioned sedition charges against Gill. The April 6 arrest of former minister Ali Amin Gandapur adds to these concerns.”

The lawmaker highlighted numerous cases filed against the PTI chief and the “use of force against his supporters, the detention of protesters under sweeping counter-terrorism laws, and the closing space for free speech”.

Congressman Sherman noted that efforts by the authorities to delay elections in two key provinces are another sign of “skirting” democratic processes and urged Pakistan to respect the Supreme Court ruling that the elections should proceed on a timely basis.

He also asked the secretary of state to form a panel of law experts to review the issue of the election delay verdict of the top court as the government is of the view that the matter should be heard by the full court.

“I will continue to monitor the situation. I ask you to guide the United States-Pakistan policy toward a greater commitment to human rights and to use all US diplomatic channels to urge Pakistani authorities to investigate the alleged abuses and to hold accountable anybody who may be responsible.

"Most importantly, I urge the authorities to make sure that going forward political figures or citizens who simply want to demonstrate are not subjected to anti-democratic consequences.”

In the concluding para of the letter, Sherman wrote that the US-Pakistani relationship is one of the most important foreign policy relationships and accordingly should reflect US priorities regarding democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Pakistan.