Washington: A military court in Islamabad, Pakistan, sentenced 25 individuals to prison sentences after finding them guilty of attacking army sites, a decision that has alarmed the United States (US).

In a post on X on Monday, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, “The United States is concerned by the sentencing of Pakistani civilians in a military tribunal and calls upon Pakistani authorities to respect the right to a fair trial and due process.”

The European Union (EU) expressed similar worries the day before.

According to The Express Tribune, the EU voiced concerns on Sunday over the 25 individuals who were sentenced by a military court, stating that the ruling was in conflict with Pakistan’s pledges to provide a “fair and public” hearing for all of the defendants.

The European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels issued a statement stating, “The European Union notes with concern the sentencing of 25 civilians by a military court on December 21 in Pakistan.”

Following the military court’s decision to condemn 25 individuals to jail sentences ranging from two to ten years for attacking military posts during riots that broke out following the detention of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in May of last year, the EU released its statement.

Building on a long history of hate and lies, the Pakistani military said in a statement that May 9 saw tragic incidents of “politically provoked violence and arson at multiple places, marking a dark chapter in the history of Pakistan” when politically orchestrated attacks were carried out at the army installations, according to The Express Tribune.

The Pakistani military described the protesters’ actions as “blatant acts of violence,” saying, “These blatant acts of violence not only shocked the nation but also underscored the necessity of checking this unacceptable attempt of political terrorism to impose its own perverted will through violence and coercion.”

According to a statement issued by the Pakistani military, a field general court martial condemned 25 individuals in the first phase after the evaluation of the evidence and the conclusion of the appropriate legal processes.

The European Union, meanwhile, has voiced reservations about the decisions rendered by military tribunals. In a statement, the EU said, “These verdicts are seen as inconsistent with the obligations that Pakistan has undertaken under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).”

It said, “Everyone has the right to a fair and public trial before an independent, impartial, and competent court, as well as the right to sufficient and efficient legal counsel, in accordance with article 14 of the ICCPR. Additionally, it mandates that any verdict in a criminal case be made public.

The EU statement claims that in order for recipient nations, including Pakistan, to maintain their GSP+ status under the EU’s generalized system of preferences plus (GSP+), they have voluntarily committed to implementing 27 international core treaties, including the ICCPR.

To promote sustainable development, the elimination of poverty, their involvement in the global economy, and good governance, the GSP+ grants tariff benefits for imports to the EU from vulnerable developing countries.

For 66% of tariff lines, eligible countries, such as Pakistan, are able to export products to the EU market duty-free. According to a report by The Express Tribune, this advantageous status is still contingent upon GSP+ countries demonstrating observable advancements in the application of 27 international treaties on human and labor rights, environmental protection, climate change, and good governance.

Since joining the GSP+ in 2014, Pakistan’s company has benefited from higher exports to the EU market, which have increased by 65%. The most significant destination for Pakistan is the European single market, which has over 440 customers.