ISLAMABAD: Justice Project Pakistan (JPP) screened a documentary on the case of Ghulam Abbas, a man who suffered from severe mental illness and spent over 15 years on death row in Pakistan.

According to a statement, the event held in Islamabad was attended by Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan Dr. Riina Kionka, representatives from the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), human rights advocates and the general public.

By delving into the life of Ghulam Abbas, the documentary shed light on the plight of prisoners with psychosocial disabilities across Pakistan’s criminal justice system.

From his initial arrest in 2004 to the final days of his life, Abbas’ case reveals systemic failures of the justice system to protect the rights of the most vulnerable.

The screening also spotlighted the landmark Safia Bano judgement of the Supreme Court, which barred the execution of prisoners with mental illness, established key safeguards and reaffirmed protections throughout the criminal justice process.

Following the documentary, Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy moderated a panel discussion with Executive Director of Justice Project Pakistan Sarah Belal and the documentary’s producer Saalik Khan.

The discussion explored the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system in Pakistan.

“What was the extent of [Safia Bano’s] impact in practice,” Hoodbhoy asked.

Belal highlighted the ongoing challenges in implementing the Safia Bano judgement and the broader implications for human rights in Pakistan.

The case of Ghulam Abbas serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the systemic shortcomings in Pakistan’s criminal justice system that continue to violate the fundamental human rights of the most vulnerable.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2024