ISLAMABAD - The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) on Wednesday expressed its grave concern for the infringement of rights of Hussain Haqqani, former Pakistan Ambassador to the United States of America.
Hussain Haqqani has been embroiled in a political and judicial conflict stemming from a leaked political memorandum that he was alleged to have authored, only a few days after al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed by US military forces. "Hussain Haqqani faced a vicious media trial following which the Supreme Court of Pakistan on a petition filed debarred him from traveling abroad, despite the fact that he has not been charged with any crime," said Sheila Varadan, International Legal Advisor at the ICJ Asia-Pacific Regional Office in statement that was received to the TheNation.
"Hussain Haqqani continues to receive threats and has been painted as disloyal to the country. There is, though, no proof of any betrayal of his duties as an Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States." His counsel, Asma Jahangir, confirmed that Hussain Haqqani is under threat and has taken refuge in the compound of the Prime Minister's residence.
"We are calling on the Pakistani Authorities to respect Hussain Haqqani's right to be presumed innocent and to remove the restriction on his right to leave the country and any other restrictions on his right to freedom of movement," added Sheila Varadan. "They must also ensure his personal safety at all times and respect his right to a fair and impartial hearing throughout the Inquiry process."