New York (HRNW)– The United Nations (UN) human-rights chief has strongly condemned the recent 27th Constitutional Amendment passed in Pakistan, warning that granting lifetime immunity to the president and senior military leaders would seriously weaken accountability and erode the rule of law.
In a statement issued recently, Volker Türk said that the amendment — adopted without broad consultation with the legal community or civil society — undermines judicial independence and raises “grave concerns” about military accountability and fundamental human-rights protections.
He cautioned that immunity for top office-holders removes a key check and balance from the justice system: “Sweeping immunity provisions like these undermine accountability, which is a cornerstone of the human-rights framework and democratic control of the armed forces under the rule of law.”
Volker Türk warned that the constitutional changes risk far-reaching consequences for democracy in Pakistan, making it harder to ensure equal application of law and jeopardizing citizens’ rights.
