ISLAMABAD: The European Union on Thursday criticized Pakistan over the conviction of two human rights lawyers for their social media activity, saying the ruling ran counter to core democratic principles that Islamabad is committed to uphold, a charge the government denied while calling the development its “domestic affair.”

Imaan Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha were arrested last Friday as they were on their way to a court appearance and were later remanded to two weeks in judicial custody.

Authorities accused them of violating the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) over posts on X that they said incited ethnic divisions and portrayed the military as being involved in “terrorism.” Both deny the allegations.

“The conviction of human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha over social media activity goes against freedom of expression and independence of lawyers,” Anouar El Anouni, the EU’s spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, said in a post on X. “These are not only key democratic principles but also part of Pakistan’s international human rights commitments.”

Pakistan is one of the largest beneficiaries of the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), which grants duty-free access to most European markets in return for implementing 27 international conventions covering human rights, labor standards, environmental protection and good governance.

Pakistan’s GSP+ status came under scrutiny in the past after, in April 2021, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for an immediate review, citing concerns over violence against religious minorities, curbs on media freedom and broader human rights issues.

Responding to the EU concern, Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi described the development as Pakistan’s “domestic affair.”

“The conviction, under our local laws, has taken place through a judicial process,” he said during his weekly media briefing. “The relevant individuals have a right to appeal, have a right to a judicial recourse.”

“There’s local remedy available for these individuals, and Pakistan while, is remains engaged with the EU on all issues, does make a distinction about our domestic affairs,” he added.