ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (ANS) -- A Pakistani umbrella organization for the country’s religious minorities has strongly condemned the nationwide arrests of human rights and political activists.
In a news release, the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) reported that a large number of lawyers and human rights activists in various parts of Pakistan were beaten, charged and arrested while protesting against the imposition of emergency measures and demanding the restoration of the constitution.
According to APMA, the declaration of a state of emergency is a breach of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as Pakistan’s constitution.
AMPA commented, “Such desperate and reprehensible actions of the regime by suspending the constitution, (firing) the judges, beating and arresting the lawyers, journalists, human rights and political activists representing the moderate sections of society in Pakistan will further embolden extremists.
Shahbaz Bhatti, AMPA Chairman, demanded immediate release of the detained activists and reversal of what he called the illegal provisional constitutional order, restoration of the constitution and free and fair elections.
Bhatti called upon the international community, human rights groups and members of the legal community to play their role in the restoration of democracy in Pakistan.
He said that Pakistan, as member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, should uphold the respect of fundamental rights. He said that APMA again urges the Pakistani authorities to ensure respect for human rights in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Bhatti further commented that the state of emergency declared by the President Musharraf is an “unconstitutional, illegal and unlawful act, taken ... when the country is already in turmoil. This action is a mockery of democratic values, and (has) damaged the efforts of national reconciliation.”
Bhatti appealed for prayer for an end to the crisis, subsequent peace, and the restoration of democracy and the constitution in Pakistan.
