Justice Project Pakistan

In commemoration of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, Justice Project Pakistan, the National Commission for Human Rights, and the Punjab Criminal Prosecution Service came together to launch: Reimagining State Responsibility: Training Manual for Torture Prevention — Pakistan’s first practical, institutional guide to prevent torture and uphold the rule of law. Earlier this year, JPP also trained NCHR officers from across the country on how to document and investigate torture and ill-treatment in line with both international standards and Pakistan’s Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act, 2022. 🎥 This video captures powerful moments from the Lahore event, where judges, prosecutors, police, prison officials, medico-legal experts, and human rights defenders shared one stage—with one shared goal: making rights real. Together, we can move from law to implementation. From silence to accountability. Let’s work together to ensure that rights are not just written in law but truly protected in practice. 👉 Our e-course: e-course.jpp.org.pk 👉 Our torture training toolkit: jpp.org.pk/prevention-of-… @SarahBelal_ @KamranAdilPSP @EUPakistan @omctorg @nchrofficial @ChaudhryShafeeq @FIA_Agency #ReimaginingStateAccountability #ZimmedarKaun #StopTorture #EndTorture #HumanRights #JusticeProjectPakistan #NCHR #RuleOfLaw #UNCAT #TorturePrevention

During a JPP awareness session, members of the transgender community shared their experiences of being stopped, searched, detained, and mistreated by police. The session raised awareness about the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act, 2022, which criminalizes torture in custody. #EndTorture #TransRights #HumanRightsPakistan

Some highlights from #CNDVienna 🇦🇹 Important conversations on drug policy, human rights, and justice with advocates and policymakers from around the world.

Justice Project Pakistan’s Executive Director @SarahBelal_ joined nearly 200 global changemakers at the Echoing Green All Fellows Convening 2026 in Mexico City 🇲🇽. A powerful space for honest conversations on leadership, justice, and scaling impact alongside social innovators working to transform systems worldwide. #EchoingGreen #AFC2026 #JusticeReform

Vice-Chair Amalia Gamio asks Pakistan why it has not implemented the directions of the Supreme Court in the Safia Bano case, which established protections for persons w/ psychosocial disabilities, and mandated training of judges. 5 years on, no movement has been seen on Safia Bano, so this intervention by the Committee is incredibly welcome! #PakCRPD

Vice-Chairperson Amalia Gamio asks what steps Pakistan is taking to deinstitutionalise children with disabilities and ensure family- and community-based care. Turning to protection from abuse, she asks what measures exist to prevent torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment of persons with disabilities. Vice-Chairperson Amalia Gamio asks whether complaint mechanisms exist for victims of abuse and how such complaints are received and investigated. #PakCRPD

Vice-Chairperson Amalia Gamio raises questions regarding Pakistan’s mental health law, which was amended in 2011, and asks whether further reforms are planned to bring it into compliance with the CRPD. #PakCRPD

Turning to transportation, Committee member Ms. Rehab Bourisli asks what steps Pakistan has taken to ensure public transport is accessible and adapted to the needs of persons with disabilities. She also asks how Pakistan ensures accessible transportation in remote and rural areas, where services may be limited. #PakCRPD

The delegation notes that a comprehensive National Action Plan for Human Rights has been under implementation since 2016 and was subsequently revised in 2020. #PakCRPD @JusticeProject_

Turning to Pakistan’s Penal Code, the Expert notes that provisions such as qisas (retaliation) and other penalties derived from Shariah law remain in the legislation. #PakCRPD #DeathPenalty

Unfortunately, Pakistan's opening statement does not directly address concerns raised in the List of Issues. As Committee member notes, while a range of initiatives were highlighted, it remains unclear how they come together within a sustainable national strategy #PakCRPD

Committee member Muhannad Salah Al-Azzeh asks Pakistan to provide data on the number of persons with disabilities currently on death row. #PakCRPD

Committee member Muhannad Salah Al-Azzeh notes Pakistan’s reference to the Safia Bano case, in which the court held that persons with psychosocial disabilities should not be subjected to the death penalty. He asks whether this judicial protection applies only to persons with psychosocial disabilities, or whether it also extends to persons with other types of disabilities. #PakCRPD @sana_khurshid1 @HRCP87 @ShirkatGah

Vice-Chairperson Amalia Gamio asks whether persons with disabilities and their representative organisations participate in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of accessibility policies. #PakCRPD #DisabilityRights @sana_khurshid1

Turning to Article 8 (Awareness-raising), Vice-Chairperson Amalia Gamio asks whether Pakistan conducts campaigns to educate families, public officials, and society on the rights of persons with disabilities. #PakCRPD The Expert highlights continued stigma and discrimination, including against persons with leprosy, and asks what measures Pakistan is taking to address these issues. #PakCRPD

Vice Chair Ms. Amalia Gamio Rios goes next, underscoring need for improved infrastucture and access in education, health, employment, saying it is significantly lacking right now #PakCRPD

Committee Member Al Azzeh also highlights derogatory language towards persons with psychosocial/intellectual disabilities in Pakistan's law! Pak's own Supreme Court called for review of these outdated terms in 2021 in the landmark Safia Bano judgement, but no progress yet #PakCRPD