Imaan, Chattha awarded Ludovic Trarieux human rights prize for defending human rights

Lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, have been awarded the prestigious Ludovic Trarieux International Human Rights Prize in recognition of their work for human rights and marginalized communities, it was announced on Tuesday.

Imaan and Chattha are currently serving jail terms after a District and Sessions Court in Islamabad convicted them earlier this year in a case related to controversial social media posts and sentenced them each to 17 years in prison.

According to a statement issued by the Forensic Union for the Protection of Human Rights (UFDU) on June 13, the award is considered to be the oldest and one of the most prestigious international honors awarded to a lawyer.

Established in memory of Ludovic Trarieux, a French lawyer who founded the League for the Defense of Human and Citizen Rights in 1898, the award is presented annually to a lawyer who has made an exceptional contribution to the defense of human rights, the rule of law and the fight against racism and all forms of intolerance through their professional commitment.

The award ceremony was held in the Parlamentino Hall of the National Bar Council in Rome. Lawyer Antonino Galletti, coordinator of the European and International Law Commission at the National Bar Council, was among those present.

The statement noted that in recent years Imaan and Chattha had carried out their work “against growing pressure on lawyers and human rights defenders in Pakistan, according to international organizations and observers”.

“In awarding the Ludovic Trarieux International Human Rights Prize 2026, the jury recognized Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha’s professional and personal contributions to the defense of the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and access to justice,” the statement said.

In a post on X, Imaan’s mother and former federal minister, Shireen Mazari, described the recognition as “a huge professional honour” and expressed gratitude for the award.

Background of case

The case against Imaan and Hadi allegedly relates to controversial posts and reposts on X, described by authorities as “anti-government”. The National Cyber ​​Crime Investigation Agency registered the case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, claiming that the content was intended to incite divisions and portray government institutions negatively.

The social media posting case reached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) after the trial on November 19, where the testimony of all prosecution witnesses was recorded. The two layers had challenged procedural irregularities, including the recording of evidence in their absence and the appointment of a state-appointed lawyer without their consent, prompting the IHC’s intervention.

Legal bodies, including the Islamabad Bar Association, have criticized aspects of the case, claiming that the defendants’ right to a fair defense has been undermined.

Their request to transfer the case was heard by the High Court, which declined to grant an immediate stay. The couple then approached the Supreme Court, which temporarily suspended the trial until the High Court concluded its hearing.

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Meanwhile, several other FIRs surfaced against the couple during this time. One of the recently surfaced FIRs, registered at Kohsar Police Station on 26 July 2025, was filed on the complaint of Superintendent of Police Safdar Hussain in connection with a protest by the Balock Yakjehti Committee of the National Press Club under several sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The couple were arrested on January 23 near the underpass outside Serena Hotel while traveling to the district courts and later sent to 14-day custody by an anti-terrorism court.

A District and Sessions Court later sentenced both to a combined 17 years’ rigorous imprisonment each: five years under PECA Section 9 (plus a fine of Rs 5 million), 10 years under Section 10 (plus Rs 30 million) and two years under Section 26-A (plus Rs 1 million), with further imprisonment in case of non-payment. The judge also acquitted them of the PECA charge of hate speech under section 11, saying the prosecution’s witnesses did not support that claim.

During the trial conducted via video link, Imaan alleged ill-treatment in custody and announced a boycott of the hearing. The judge noted that the pair were already in custody in another case and said they would remain in jail to serve their sentences, with credit for time spent in custody under Section 382-B of the Criminal Procedure Code.