Rights violations: AI urges European leaders to press Musharraf

European government and business leaders meeting with President Pervez Musharraf in the coming days must press him on the human rights situation in Pakistan, Amnesty International said Sunday.

Musharraf began his eight-day Europe tour by holding talks with members of the Pakistani community in Brussels on Sunday, before beginning his official programme on Monday. He is also set to visit Britain, France and Switzerland.

“As President Musharraf embarks on a tour of Europe … those who meet him have both the responsibility and opportunity to demand that his government bring to an end the human rights violations that have characterised the recent period of Pakistan’s history,” Amnesty Secretary General Irene Khan said.

In the statement, Khan added: “Arbitrary arrests and detentions, enforced disappearances, and torture and ill-treatment - coupled with pervasive political violence undermine the prospect of free and fair elections planned in February.”

“Amnesty International has collected a wealth of evidence on human rights violations and the breakdown of rule of law, which are sowing the seeds of a political catastrophe, with devastating consequences for ordinary people.

“The international community must give a clear and unequivocal message to President Musharraf that restoring respect for human rights and the rule of law is key to establishing confidence in the forthcoming elections and arresting the spate of political violence in Pakistan.”

Musharraf is expected to face thorny questions in his talks here over his commitment to fighting extremism after the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and on Pakistan’s slow progress to democratic elections set for February 18.