Strasbourg, 16/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - In a common resolution moved on Thursday 15 November 2007, the European Parliament called for the lifting of the state of emergency and immediate return to the 1973 constitution in Pakistan. As during the debate in Strasbourg the day before (see EUROPE 9543), the MEPs condemned the police violence against demonstrators and the arrest of more than 3000 people since 3 November 2007. They called for the rule of law to be restored and again urged President Pervez Musharraf to accept the verdict of the Supreme Court (once it has been restored) on whether his election was constitutional. They also urged him to resign as head of the army. The MEPs want all media restrictions to be lifted and for an end to Benazir Bhutto's house arrest and the restrictions placed on other politicians and civil society figureheads.
Concerned that current conditions would not allow free, fair and transparent elections to take place, the MEPs call for the freeing of all political prisoners. It is not certain whether a team of EP election observers will be sent to Pakistan for the 9 January 2008 general elections. EU Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner said during the debate that it would not be possible to send an election mission until the state of emergency had been lifted. If there are rapid improvements, the EU may decide to send a slimmed-down mission of experts and election advisors but no election observers. A reduced mission of this nature could be deployed on 24 November. (A.B)