FIDH echoes the position of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, its affiliated league in the country, that only strong democratic institutions and strict respect of human rights can serve as a solid basis to fight against any kind of extremism and other forms of religious fanatism. However the government continues to violate even the most basic rights : on the evening of 13th January 2008, police violently attacked peaceful demonstrators gathered outside the residence of Justice (R) Rana Bhagwandas arresting 8 civil activists. In addition, following Mrs Bhutto’s assassination, hundreds of political activists were arrested and detained during the social unrest in Lahore. Lawyers on strike as sign of protest against the illegal intervention of the executive in the functioning of the judiciary are daily victims of harsh repression and intimidation.
FIDH recalls than an independent judiciary, a free civil society and full respect of political rights are critical for the functioning of a democratic state.
FIDH strongly calls upon the European Union, the main trading partner of Pakistan, to urge the President of Pakistan to :
– put an end to any kind of harassment, intimidation and presence of police and security forces in the election campaign,
– fully respect the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly,
– restaure an independent judiciary by re-integrating the members of the Supreme Court and other higher judiciary institutions, who refused to take oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order,
– release immediately, and without any conditions, all political activists, lawyers, judges and human rights defenders,
– address a standing invitation to the United Nations special procedures, 8 of them having already requested to conduct visits in Pakistan,
– accept that an international commission of investigation undertake an inquiry into Mrs Bhutto’s assassination,
– hold free and transparent elections, without violence, in full respect of international human rights standards.