DSP: stop the attacks and restore democracy in Pakistan!

March 29, 2000
Issue 

DSP: stop the attacks and restore democracy!

The following letter of protest was sent to the Pakistan's General Pervaiz Musharraf by the Democratic Socialist Party in Australia on March 25.

We strongly protest the raids by Pakistani army and police on the homes and offices of Labour Party Pakistan leaders on the night of March 22 following a LPP-organised demonstration against the visit of US President Clinton. Your government's attempts to arrest the three main leaders of the LPP — General Secretary Farooq Tariq, President Shoaib Bhatti and Zafar Awan — must cease.

These attacks fly in the face of your attempt to put on a more democratic image during the visit of President Clinton, and give a hollow ring to your announcement of a schedule for local government elections next year.

The raids go against the most basic political and democratic rights, and have been unanimously condemned by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan at its council meeting on Thursday.

Human rights activists, trade unions, political parties and prominent intellectuals around the world are speaking out against this blatant attack on a political party following a peaceful demonstration, and their voices will get louder unless you reverse direction.

We urge you to immediately: restore and guarantee freedom of speech, assembly and political expression; stop the attacks on the Labour Party Pakistan and call off the hunt for the LPP's leaders; restore democracy and announce an early date for national elections.

[The details for sending protest letters are printed at the end of the main article on this page.]

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