Death sentence for Junaid Hafeez in Pakistan

Motion Text

That this House is deeply concerned about the death sentence imposed on Mr Junaid Hafeez, a lecturer at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Pakistan; notes that his first defence lawyer was assassinated by extremists, his second lawyer was intimidated into dropping his case, and the third lawyer has received many such threats; further notes that the trial proceedings are unsafe, unsatisfactory and contrary to Pakistan's constitutional guarantees of due process and fair trial; expresses alarm that Mr Hafeez has been in solitary confinement for six years after he was attacked by other prisoners in the jail; recognises that this lengthy confinement is contrary to the provisions of Article 7 of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights to which Pakistan is a signatory; and appeals to the Supreme Court of Pakistan to expedite the case by taking Suo Moto action and to review the case on an urgent basis.