28/09/2026
𝐇𝐔𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐒
𝐀 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐦𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐡𝐚𝐧
This is not a call made for a party, a flag or a faction. It is a call made for a human being, and for the principles that protect every one of us.
Since 5 August 2023, for more than three years, Imran Khan, a former Prime Minister of Pakistan and a man of 73, has been held in Adiala Jail.
These are not our words. They are the findings of the world's human rights bodies:
In 2024, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (Opinion No. 22/2024) concluded that his detention was arbitrary and in violation of international law, and called for his immediate release.
In August 2026, Amnesty International stated that for three years he has been denied a fair trial, held in prolonged solitary confinement, and given limited access to medical care and to his family.
Earlier this year, reports emerged of serious loss of vision in one eye, linked to delayed medical care.
Several convictions against him have already been overturned or suspended by Pakistan's own courts.
Every one of us, whatever our faith, party or country, would ask for the same things for our own father: a fair hearing, medical care, the right to see his family and lawyers, and freedom from cruelty.
These are not political favours. They are rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan (Article 9: security of person; Article 10A: right to a fair trial; Article 14: dignity of man), by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Pakistan has ratified, and by the UN Nelson Mandela Rules on the treatment of prisoners, which prohibit prolonged solitary confinement.
Every faith we honour teaches the same truth. The Qur'an says: "Stand firmly for justice… even if it be against yourselves" (4:135). The Bible says: "Let justice roll down like waters" (Amos 5:24).
We respectfully and peacefully call on the authorities of Pakistan to:
Release Imran Khan immediately, as the United Nations Working Group has called for.
Until then, end his solitary confinement, and guarantee him full medical care and regular access to his family and lawyers.
Hear his pending appeals without delay, openly and fairly.
A nation is not judged by how it treats its friends, but by how it treats those it disagrees with.
Justice delayed is justice denied. And justice denied to one is a warning to all.
If you believe human dignity belongs to no party, please share.
𝐏𝐚𝐧-𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲