ICC Note:

Despite criticism from human rights activists, Pakistan’s lower house has passed legislation to reinstate secret military courts according to BBC News. In response to an attack on a military-run school by the Pakistani Taliban that killed 134 children in 2015, military courts were first established. The courts had a two-year mandate that expired on January 7 of this year. The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said in January it wanted to reinstate the military courts, but lacked the two-thirds majority in parliament. After months of discussions between parties, the bill was passed late on Tuesday. 

3/22/2017 Pakistan (BBC) – Pakistan’s lower house has passed legislation to reinstate secret military courts, despite criticism from human rights activists.

Military courts were first set up as a response to the 2015 attack on a military-run school by the Pakistani Taliban that killed 134 children.

The courts, which try civilians charged with terrorism offences, had a two-year mandate that expired on 7 January.

The legislation still needs Senate approval before it can become law.

The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said in January it wanted to reinstate the military courts, but lacked the two-thirds majority in parliament. After months of discussions between parties, the bill was passed late on Tuesday.

…

[Full Story]