The United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture, Alice Jill Edwards, has raised significant concerns regarding the detention conditions of Bushra Bibi Khan, the wife of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. Edwards urged Pakistani authorities to take immediate steps to improve her situation and ensure compliance with international human rights standards.
Reports indicate that Bushra Khan has been held in a cramped cell lacking basic hygiene, proper ventilation, and sufficient light due to frequent power outages. Furthermore, she has been provided with unsafe drinking water and unsatisfactory food, leading to considerable weight loss and health complications, including infections, fainting, and a stomach ulcer.
Isolation and Lack of Legal Access
Edwards highlighted that Bushra Khan has endured prolonged periods of near-total isolation, which has severely restricted her communication with family members and denied her access to legal representation and medical care. The UN expert emphasized that these conditions could have detrimental effects on both her physical and mental well-being.
In her statement, Edwards stressed that the Pakistani government is obligated under international law to safeguard Bushra Khan’s health during her detention. She pointed out that the state must ensure that all legal protections outlined in international human rights law are upheld. According to the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, facilities must meet health requirements and consider climatic conditions, including ventilation and lighting. These rules also stipulate that prisoners have the right to receive family visits and access to legal aid.
Background of Legal Troubles
Bushra Khan is currently imprisoned following several criminal convictions alongside her husband. On December 22, 2022, a court sentenced both Bushra and Imran Khan to 17 years in prison for the unlawful retailing and sale of state gifts. Earlier in January 2023, she received a seven-year sentence related to the Al-Qadir corruption case. Since Imran Khan’s ousting as Prime Minister in 2022, both have faced multiple legal challenges, which they assert are politically motivated.
Imran Khan himself has been incarcerated since 2023, facing similar charges. Earlier this month, the UN also expressed concerns regarding his detention conditions, warning that any mistreatment could amount to torture.
The UN’s calls for action underscore the importance of respecting human rights and the dignity of individuals in detention, as highlighted by international legal frameworks. As the situation develops, the international community continues to monitor the treatment of both Bushra Khan and her husband, emphasizing the need for adherence to established human rights standards.
