Geneva, Feb. 24 -- Five United Nations special rapporteurs have voiced serious concern regarding the continuing criminal cases against human rights lawyers Iman Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha in Pakistan, cautioning that the charges against them could be employed to curb legal advocacy and restrict freedom of expression, as reported by The Balochistan Post (TBP).

In an official communication sent to the Government of Pakistan, the UN experts expressed apprehension over the convictions handed down to the two lawyers under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016.

The communication was signed by special rapporteurs overseeing issues related to the independence of judges and lawyers, freedom of expression, the rights t...