UN rights body concerned by 'pattern of harassment' of Imran Khan's party members ahead of election
ABC News
The United Nations top human rights body expressed concern over the “pattern of harassment” against members of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party ahead of this week’s parliamentary election
ISLAMABAD -- The United Nations top human rights body expressed concern Tuesday over the “pattern of harassment” against members of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party ahead of this week's parliamentary election.
During a news briefing in Geneva, Liz Throssell, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, urged Pakistani authorities to ensure a fully free and fair voting process.
This came amid complaints by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party of harassment and the inability to hold rallies similar to the ruling party and its candidate Nawaz Sharif. Authorities have denied such claims.
Khan has been sentenced to 34 years in jail after being convicted in four cases and has been disqualified from running. His party and supporters claimed the sentencing was a punishment for his rhetoric against Pakistan’s powerful military.
Throssell said the U.N.'s rights body was disturbed “by the pattern of harassment, arrests and prolonged detentions of leaders” of Khan’s party and its supporters.
