Alice Jill Edwards, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, issued a strong statement urging Pakistan to immediately improve the detention conditions of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
She warned that his treatment could amount to torture or inhuman/degrading punishment, violating international human rights standards.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Key Concerns Highlighted by the UN Expert
- Prolonged solitary confinement: Khan has reportedly been confined for up to 23 hours a day in his cell since his transfer to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on September 26, 2023, with constant camera surveillance and highly restricted access to the outside world. Prolonged solitary confinement beyond 15 days is considered psychological torture under international law.
- Poor physical conditions: His small cell lacks natural light, adequate ventilation, and proper climatic protection, leading to extreme temperatures, foul odors, insect infestations, nausea, vomiting, and significant weight loss.
- Health issues: At age 73, Khan has pre-existing conditions (spinal injury from 2013 and gunshot wounds from a 2022 assassination attempt) and has reportedly been denied adequate medical care, including visits by personal physicians.
- Restricted visits: Meetings with lawyers and family are frequently interrupted or prematurely ended; he is denied outdoor exercise, interaction with other inmates, or communal prayers.
Edwards has formally communicated these concerns to the Pakistani government and will continue monitoring the situation.
Background and Political Context
Imran Khan, founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has been detained since August 2023 on multiple charges (including corruption and inciting violence), which his supporters describe as politically motivated to sideline him after his 2022 ouster via a no-confidence vote. His imprisonment remains a flashpoint in Pakistan’s polarized politics, with ongoing PTI protests demanding his release and allegations of a broader crackdown on the party.
Recent developments include:
- Protests outside Adiala Jail by PTI supporters, family members, and even the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister (denied access multiple times).
- Government rebuttals asserting Khan receives facilities per prison rules (better than standard B-class privileges) and has had hundreds of meetings since 2023.
- Heightened tensions, including resolutions in provincial assemblies calling for PTI bans and warnings of treason cases against Khan.
This UN intervention adds international pressure amid domestic turmoil, with Khan’s family (including ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith) and PTI amplifying claims of inhumane treatment and political persecution. The Pakistani government maintains all actions are lawful.
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