27th Constitutional Amendment poses 'serious threat' to judicial independence: Amnesty

Amnesty International has warned that the recent 27th Constitutional Amendment poses a serious threat to judicial independence and the rule of law, saying it entrenches executive control over the courts and shields key state officials from accountability. In a statement released a day earlier, the rights group said the amendment undermines an already weakened judiciary by establishing a Federal Constitutional Court that lacks "independence, erodes judges’ security of tenure". Despite its far-reaching implications, Amnesty noted that the amendment was rushed through parliament without consultation with civil society or opposition parties.