The United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture, Alice Jill Edwards, has expressed serious concerns regarding the detention conditions of Bushra Bibi Khan, the wife of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. Edwards called on Pakistani authorities to take immediate action to enhance the living conditions of Bushra Khan, ensuring compliance with international human rights standards.
Bushra Khan has reportedly been held in a small cell that lacks basic hygiene, proper ventilation, and adequate lighting, often left in darkness due to frequent electricity cuts. Edwards highlighted that she has been provided with unclean water and inedible food, leading to significant weight loss and various medical complications, including infections, fainting, and a stomach ulcer.
Isolation and Lack of Legal Access
The report underscores that Bushra Khan has experienced prolonged periods of isolation, with restrictions on family visits and limited access to legal counsel and medical care. Edwards noted that these conditions could severely affect her physical and mental well-being.
“The persistence of these poor detention conditions will seriously impact Bushra Khan’s physical and mental integrity,” Edwards stated. She urged the Pakistani government to rectify the situation, allowing Bushra to communicate freely with her lawyers and family to prevent further psychological and physical distress.
According to international law, states are obligated to safeguard the health of detainees and to provide them with essential legal protections. The UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners mandate that detention conditions must respect the inherent dignity of individuals and prohibit any forms of torture or inhumane treatment.
Legal Context and Background
Bushra Khan is currently incarcerated following a series of criminal convictions involving her husband, Imran Khan. On December 22, 2023, a court sentenced both to 17 years in prison for the illegal sale of state gifts. Earlier in January 2024, she received a seven-year sentence in connection with the Al-Qadir corruption case.
Since Imran Khan’s ousting as Prime Minister in April 2022, both he and his wife have faced numerous legal challenges, which they contend are politically motivated. Imran Khan has been in custody since 2023, facing multiple convictions, with the UN recently raising alarms about his detention conditions, suggesting that mistreatment could amount to torture.
The UN’s focus on the treatment of both Bushra and Imran Khan underscores the international community’s growing concern about human rights in Pakistan, particularly regarding the treatment of political figures. The situation highlights the urgent need for reforms within the Pakistani judicial and detention systems to align with international human rights standards.
