ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan has rejected the ‘baseless’ statement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, regarding the 27th constitutional amendment.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Foreign Office spokesperson expressed deep concern over the ungrounded and misplaced apprehensions aired on behalf of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), expressing concerns about the recent constitutional tweaks.
The FO highlighted that the constitutional amendments were adopted by the two-third majority of the parliament of Pakistan.
“Like all parliamentary democracies, all legislation, as well as any amendment to the Constitution, remains the exclusive domain of the elected representatives of the people of Pakistan,” the statement added.
“Democracy and democratic methods form the bedrock of civil and political rights, and therefore must be respected.”
The FO further emphasised that the constitutional amendments adopted by the parliament “followed due procedures as enshrined in Pakistan’s Constitution.”
“Pakistan remains fully committed to protecting, promoting, and upholding human rights, human dignity, basic freedoms, and the rule of law as enshrined in the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” it stated.
Earlier this month, the ruling coalition had passed the 27th Constitutional Amendment in the Senate and the National Assembly amid resistance from the opposition benches, which eventually came into effect on November 13 after President Asif Ali Zardari’s assent.
Reacting to the tweaks, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk had said that it “seriously undermines judicial independence” while raising grave concerns regarding accountability and respect for the rule of law.
“Under the changes adopted on November 13, a new Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has been given powers over constitutional cases, replacing the previous authority of the Supreme Court, which will now only deal with civil and criminal cases,” the statement read.
The Foreign Office said that while Pakistan gives due importance to the work of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, it is regrettable that Pakistan’s views and ground realities were not reflected in the statement issued.
“We urge the High Commissioner to respect the sovereign decisions of Pakistan’s parliament and avoid commentary that reflects political bias and misinformation,” it wrote.
