The EU is concerned about the decisions of the military courts in the May 9 cases

The European Union (EU) expressed concern over the sentencing of 25 people by military courts for their involvement in the May 9 attacks on government facilities in Pakistan, according to media reports on Sunday.

The EU’s European External Action Service stressed that the decisions were inconsistent with Pakistan’s commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

The EU statement emphasized that Article 14 of the ICCPR guarantees every person the right to a fair and public trial by an independent, impartial and competent tribunal and to adequate legal representation. In addition, he noted that every decision issued in a criminal case must be made public.

Pakistan is a beneficiary of the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), under which the country has voluntarily committed to implement 27 international conventions, including the ICCPR. The EU reiterated the importance of meeting these commitments to maintain the benefits of the GSP+.

The military court sentenced the defendant to prison terms of two to 10 years, marking the first phase of court rulings related to the May 9 violence.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), these individuals were involved in politically motivated attacks on military installations, including the General Headquarters (GHQ). The ISPR described the incidents as a “dark chapter in the history of Pakistan” and alleged that they were orchestrated acts of political terrorism.

The attacks, which coincided with the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on corruption charges, led to widespread protests and violence. More than 100 civilians are reportedly facing military trials in connection with the events.

The military’s media wing said all convicts retain the right to appeal under the law and the Constitution. He also said that the sentences for the rest of the accused will be announced after due process.

The PTI denied involvement in the attacks, including those targeting military installations, and called for an independent judicial inquiry. The party continues to distance itself from the violent events, arguing that the incidents were not sanctioned by its leadership.

The military trials, which had been suspended following a Supreme Court ruling, resumed after a recent directive from the constitutional court allowed pending cases to proceed. This development has sparked new debates about the balance between national security and individual rights, with human rights groups and international organizations closely monitoring the situation.