The Women's Action Forum has urged the National Commission on the Status of Women to urgently intervene in the detention of human rights lawyer Advocate Imaan Mazari Hazir, who is currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, along with her spouse, Hadi Ali Chattha.
In its appeal, the Forum asked the Commission to exercise its statutory mandate under the National Commission on the Status of Women Act, 2012, which empowers it to inquire into violations of women’s rights, call for official records, and visit places of detention to assess the conditions of women prisoners.
The Forum requested that the Commission take the following steps:
- Meet Advocate Imaan Mazari Hazir during her detention to directly assess her situation.
- Undertake or facilitate an official visit to evaluate her well-being and the conditions of her confinement.
- Ensure her access to legal counsel and family, in line with due process guarantees.
- Issue a public statement regarding her detention and treatment in custody.
- Review concerns about her safety and due process rights, including her overall treatment in custody.
The Forum emphasised that the case raises serious concerns regarding her safety, due process rights, and overall treatment in custody, which merit the Commission’s urgent attention and independent review. It stressed that such intervention is essential to safeguard due process, ensure her safety, and uphold Pakistan’s constitutional and international human rights obligations.
The Forum underscored that urgent engagement by the Commission would help ensure transparency and accountability in her case and reaffirm institutional safeguards intended to protect women human rights defenders.