Date:06/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/06/stories/2007110656701400.htm

International

Rights forum condemns Emergency

LONDON: The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), in a statement on Monday, condemned the proclamation of Emergency in Pakistan by President Pervez Musharraf.

The imposition of a totally unwarranted state of Emergency, interference with the judiciary, dismissal, intimidation and detention of members of the Supreme Court and High Courts, mass arrests and targeting of human rights defenders, including the chairperson of the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and the U.N.’s Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Ms Asma Jahangir, are aimed at stifling democracy and peaceful dissent.

Political workers and lawyers across the country have also been arrested to prevent any organised opposition to the Emergency.

Media muzzled

The freedom of the media has also been attacked as private news channels have been banned and laws are being amended to further control the press. These actions run entirely contrary to the fundamental democratic principles of the Commonwealth. As a member, Pakistan is bound to comply with such principles, the statement said. The CHRI called on the Commonwealth to suspend Pakistan from the Councils of the Commonwealth.

The Pakistan-India Peoples’ Forum for Peace and Democracy also expressed its concern and distress over the declaration of Emergency. In a statement issued in New Delhi it said, “From TV and other sources we hear that this is virtually a declaration of martial law — since the Constitution itself has been put into abeyance — and the announcement of Emergency has been done by General Musharraf in his capacity as the Chief of Pakistan Army. We call on all governmentsto condemn this brutal usurpation of the basic human rights of the people of Pakistan. We urge that the ‘military’ regime in Pakistan be suspended from every international form, including the U.N. and the Commonwealth.”

“We urge the military authorities in Pakistan to desist from putting pressure on the judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts and forcing them to take oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order”.