Pakistan faced international criticism for both domestic rights violations and a growing trend of targeting critics abroad during the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. Activists and observers gathered for discussions on March 27, highlighting the link between internal repression in Pakistan and its external impact. They pointed out how tactics like enforced disappearances and legal opacity at home are now being used to suppress dissent abroad.
The report emphasized that enforced disappearances are a significant issue within Pakistan, particularly in regions like Balochistan. Families of missing persons have long protested for information about their loved ones who disappeared after encounters with security agencies, with limited legal recourse and accountability. The case of human rights activist Idris Khattak was highlighted as an example of the lack of due process in detention.
Participants noted a broader reach of these repressive tactics, with Pakistani activists in exile facing threats, surveillance, and coercion in Europe and North America. The methods employed, though informal, have proven effective, with tactics like questioning family members in Pakistan, delaying travel documents, and sending anonymous messages to create a sense of vulnerability even abroad.
The report cited research by Freedom House, identifying Pakistan as one of the countries engaging in transnational repression. Unlike overt operations by other states, Pakistan’s approach relies on persistence rather than visibility, making it challenging to attribute and prosecute. This sustained repression, as highlighted in the report, underscores the lack of transparency and oversight within Pakistan’s institutions.
Speakers at the event, including journalist Francesca Marino and activist Peter Tatchell, emphasized the interconnectedness between Pakistan’s domestic conditions and external pressures. They pointed out that where there is a lack of accountability and transparency domestically, similar repressive tactics can be exported abroad with impunity, creating a continuum of control from local communities to diaspora networks.
The discussions underscored a gap in addressing these issues, noting a growing documentation of abuses within Pakistan and intimidation beyond its borders. Despite the expanding evidence, both at home and internationally, there has been a lack of effective policy responses to counter these trends.
