The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed serious concerns about the recently enacted Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024, which was rushed through Parliament in just four days. According to the HRCP, the new law poses a significant threat to the right to peaceful assembly, a fundamental freedom that is already heavily restricted in the country.
In a statement posted on X, the HRCP highlighted that the law could potentially suppress citizens’ ability to exercise their democratic rights, creating what it referred to as a “chilling effect” on essential freedoms. The Commission’s latest report, part of its Legislation Watch Cell series, critically assesses the law, arguing that it directly violates the constitutional right to peaceful assembly guaranteed under Article 16 of Pakistan’s Constitution. The law is also seen as conflicting with international human rights standards and democratic best practices.
Among the key concerns raised by the HRCP is a provision that mandates public assemblies to be held in designated areas, often located far from the intended audience. This, the HRCP argues, effectively diminishes the impact and purpose of protests, making it difficult to draw attention to important issues.
The law also introduces a cumbersome permission process that makes spontaneous protests nearly impossible. Organizers are required to obtain prior approval from authorities, with district magistrates given broad powers to revoke or alter permissions even after they have been granted. This creates a constant state of uncertainty for protest organizers, who face the risk of last-minute cancellations or prohibitions.
One of the most alarming aspects of the Act, according to HRCP, is its severe penalties for participation in “unlawful” assemblies—a term that lacks a clear definition in the law. Additionally, the Act grants law enforcement significant discretion to use force in dispersing protests, without clear guidelines on when such force is deemed necessary.
The HRCP’s report paints a grim picture of how the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024 could severely restrict Pakistan‘s democratic space. By effectively criminalizing protests and granting authorities unchecked control over assemblies, the law appears poised to curtail civil liberties and weaken the nation’s democratic principles. The HRCP has called for a thorough review of the law to ensure it does not infringe on citizens’ rights or violate international human rights standards.
