Model letter by Amnesty International urges probe into Imran Riaz Khan's whereabouts

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 27 June 2023

Amnesty International has released a model letter urging a thorough investigation into the detention of Imran Riaz Khan. The organization calls for the immediate release of Khan if he is in state custody.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Amnesty International has made public a model letter addressed to Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah calling for a "prompt, and impartial, investigation into the fate and whereabouts of Imran Riaz Khan."

The specimen letter mentions the complete address of the interior minister, along with the email of the secretary of the interior. Amnesty International has appealed for taking action by writing an "appeal in your own words or use this model letter."

The model letter says that if Imran Riaz Khan is in state custody, he should be immediately released. "If there is sufficient evidence of wrongdoing, promptly charge him with an internationally recognizable crime and produce him before a civilian court."

It also demands an end to "enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions" and "immediately and unconditionally disclose the fate and/or whereabouts of forcibly disappeared people to their families."

The model letter also demands "release forcibly disappeared people or promptly bring them before a judge in a civilian court of law to rule on the lawfulness of their arrest or detention and whether they should be released".

Amnesty International says Imran, a YouTuber and TV anchor attempting to leave the country due to fears of victimization on May 11, 2023, was detained at the Sialkot International Airport.

According to Imran's lawyer, there were no pending cases against him when he was arrested. His family was not informed of his arrest.

Imran's lawyer told Amnesty International that Imran was later taken to the Sialkot Cantt Police Station around midnight on May 11, 2023. At 10 am the following day, a detention order was issued, which according to his lawyer, alleged Imran was inciting violence in the village of Dhana Wali, a village in Sialkot. Imran's lawyer claims these allegations are false.