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Military Coup in Pakistan condemned

The International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development strongly condemns the military coup in Pakistan and calls for the full protection of civil rights of its citizens.

MONTREAL -- October 16, 1999 -- The International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development strongly condemns the military coup in Pakistan and calls for the full protection of civil rights of its citizens.

"The unconstitutional overthrow of Pakistan's elected government by the military earlier this week is extremely dangerous and must be denounced by all who support democracy and human rights."

In a statement issued today by the Board of Directors of the International Centre meeting in Montreal, members expressed deep concern for the situation of human rights in Pakistan and urged the military to return to civilian rule as soon as possible.

Pakistan's military have imposed virtual martial law, declaring a state of emergency, suspending the constitution and warning it would stamp its control on the entire country after throwing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, out of office.

"The military coup in Pakistan is worrisome not only because of the suspension of the constitution and elected government but also because it strengthens authoritarian culture in the country. It is extremely disempowering for all Pakistanis working to build a democratic society," said the President of the International Centre, Warren Allmand.

The International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development is an independent and non-partisan Canadian institution with an international mandate, working with citizens and governments in Canada and abroad, to promote human rights and democratic development through dialogue, capacity building, advocacy and public education. It focuses its programmes and activities in 12 core countries, including Pakistan.

Last year, in cooperation with the privately run Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, the Centre published Human Rights and Democratic Development in Pakistan, a thourough review of Pakistan's prospects for democracy. It also held a forum in Islamabad to map out strategies for democratic reform with key representatives of civil society.

The study, written by Hina Jilani, a high profile legal activist in Pakistan, stressed that the repeated military interventions in Pakistan have "stunted" the development of democracy and "affected national integration by sharpening ethnic and regional disparity in the sharing of power."