Pakistan rejects ‘misplaced apprehensions’ of UN rights chief about 27th constitutional amendment

The Hindu
The Hindu
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Pakistan dismissed UN rights chief Volker Turk's concerns about the 27th constitutional amendment, calling them unfounded. The amendment has raised issues regarding judicial independence and military accountability.
Pakistan rejects ‘misplaced apprehensions’ of UN rights chief about 27th constitutional amendment
A What happened
Pakistan has officially rejected the concerns expressed by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk regarding the 27th constitutional amendment. Turk described the amendment as hastily adopted and lacking broad consultation, which he believes undermines judicial independence and raises military accountability issues. In response, Pakistan's Foreign Office stated that all legislative actions, including constitutional amendments, are the exclusive domain of elected representatives. They emphasized the country's commitment to human rights and urged the High Commissioner to respect Pakistan's parliamentary sovereignty. The 27th amendment proposes significant changes, including the abolition of the 'Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee' and the introduction of a 'Chief of Defence Forces', along with the establishment of a Federal Constitutional Court and a reduction in the Supreme Court's powers.

Key insights

  • 1

    UN Concerns Ignored

    Pakistan dismissed UN rights chief's concerns as unfounded.

  • 2

    Amendment Details

    The 27th amendment proposes major changes to military and judicial structures.

  • 3

    Parliamentary Sovereignty

    Pakistan emphasizes the exclusive right of its parliament to legislate.

Takeaways

The rejection of the UN's concerns highlights Pakistan's stance on its legislative processes and commitment to sovereignty, despite international scrutiny regarding human rights.

Topics

Politics & World Policy & Regulation Human Rights