LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed concern over the decision to set up special courts to be headed by military officials to try suspected terrorists.

In a statement issued on Friday, the commission expressed its dismay that all political parties had supported this ‘unfortunate’ decision and said it had some concerns over the move.

The decision, it says, undermines the judiciary and shows lack of confidence in an independent and strong judicial system while the superior judiciary has, several times in the past, ruled that military courts are unconstitutional.

Trying civilians in military courts has always been a controversial issue, it said, adding that the system of ‘speedy justice’ had never proved to be fair and often not speedy.

The commission says it also fears that political dissidents, particularly in Balochistan and Sindh, may become target of military courts.

“HRCP believes that the need instead is to reform and strengthen the system of investigation and prosecution. Reforms should include more scientific methods of investigation, rather than torture and coercion, as well as witness protection programmes and better security for lawyers, judges and witnesses. The hasty decision is all the more questionable as the Supreme Court itself is attempting to expedite cases of terrorism,” it said.

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2014