Celebrities call for torture to be criminalised in Pakistan

Several actors, singers banded together on social media to say: “Torture is criminal. Make it a crime.”

Actor @saiyidsajidshah calls for torture to be criminalized in Pakistan.

“Torture is criminal. Make it a crime.”#CriminalizeTorture pic.twitter.com/I4IWaHu3ej

— Justice Project Pakistan (@JusticeProject_) June 26, 2020

According to a press release by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and Justice Project of Pakistan, multiple attempts have been made in the past to legislate against torture. “The Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Bill 2020, tabled in February this year, is pending before a Senate committee and is an opportunity to finally pass a comprehensive law that addresses all aspects of custodial torture, including gender-based violence used exclusively against female victims,” it read.

#CriminalizeTorture, says Vaneeza Ahmad Ali pic.twitter.com/RpmadOfl1q

— Justice Project Pakistan (@JusticeProject_) June 26, 2020

Civil society must continue to reflect critically on all such legislation, and the government must ensure that these voices are heard. 

#CriminalizeTorture, says @alyykhan06 pic.twitter.com/xiwcWMAk01

— Justice Project Pakistan (@JusticeProject_) June 26, 2020

“Let us pledge on International Day in Support of Victims of Torture 2020, commemorated every year on June 26, to end this culture of impunity and finally enact comprehensive legislation to outlaw this inhumane practice,” said the press release.

Singer/songwriter @itsjimmykhan calls to #CriminalizeTorture on #TortureVictimsDay pic.twitter.com/tpQeMM14yQ

— Justice Project Pakistan (@JusticeProject_) June 26, 2020

Torture is criminal. Make it a crime.
Torture is criminal. Make it a crime.
Torture is criminal. Make it a crime.
Torture is criminal. Make it a crime.#CriminalizeTorture pic.twitter.com/bxRubzP4Wy

— Justice Project Pakistan (@JusticeProject_) June 26, 2020