50 world NGOs assail political, human rights crisis in Pakistan
KARACHI (November 13 2007): A group of 50 NGOs hailing from a number of countries that attended the seventh International Colloquium on Human Rights in Sao Paolo, Brazil, organised by NGO Conectas, called for the restoration of democracy and respect for human rights in Pakistan.
These NGOs made the demand in a joint statement received here on Monday through e-mail. The NGOs hail from India, Brazil, Hong Kong, South Africa, Angola, Colombia, Nigeria, Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, Zimbabwe, Cambodia, Mexico, Egypt, Palestine, Namibia, Nepal, and France.
“We the undersigned wish to express our grave concern regarding the ongoing political and human rights crisis in Pakistan. As we meet in Sao Paolo, Brazil, for the seventh International Colloquium on Human Rights, organised by NGO Conectas, which aims to strengthen human rights in the South, we note with shock the ongoing crackdown in Pakistan, in which our colleagues are being targeted and fundamental rights have been suspended”, the statement said.
On November 3, 2007, President Musharraf imposed a state of emergency in Pakistan. Under a Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) replacing the country’s Constitution, fundamental rights have been suspended, notably: the right to security of the person; the freedom of movement, expression and assembly; and the protection from indefinite detention without charge. Those arrested can be denied access to lawyers. The Supreme Court has been banned from rescinding the emergency order, it noted.
An estimated 3,500 lawyers, 500 human rights defenders, a number of political workers and 12 journalists have been arrested during raids on courts, lawyers’ homes and NGOs, and the repression of demonstrations. The press is being severely censored, with at least two major FM radio stations and four TV channels having been attacked and prevented from broadcasting.
At least 15 prominent political leaders have also been arrested. Around 70 human rights activists from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) were arrested during a meeting in Lahore, while some 30 activists have been beaten up in Islamabad.
Ms Asma Jahangir, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the freedom of religion or belief, is under house arrest for 90 days. Ms Hina Jilani, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders, has been threatened with arrest if she returns to the country. There are significant fears that further arrests, ill-treatment and bloodshed will follow against all those that continue to resist the illegal action of the military government.
“We hereby express our solidarity with Pakistan’s people at this difficult time and strongly condemn the illegal, unconstitutional and brutal action being taken by the government. We call for the immediate withdrawal of the state of emergency, for the release of all persons arrested during this crisis, for the Constitution, fundamental freedoms and the judiciary to be restored, and for holding of free and fair elections as planned in January 2008.
Source: Business recorder
Date:11/13/2007
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