Strasbourg, 16/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - During its emergency debates, the European Parliament called for the release of seven Pakistani journalists who risk the death penalty, and urged Pakistan to abolish the death sentence. The EP recalls that the journalists of Frontier Post, English-language newspaper, were arrested (for having published a letter from a reader) under the Pakistani law on blasphemy that provides for the death sentence, and emphasises that this law lends itself to "manipulation and abuse". In addition, the EP deplores the declaration by President Musharraf who publicly condemned the newspaper even before an investigation began. The EP also called on the European Commission to actively support local NGOs and those who, in Pakistan, strive for human rights.