INTERNATIONAL PEACE BUREAU CALLS FOR ACTION TO RESTORE DEMOCRACY IN PAKISTAN

The world is holding its breath in view of the developments in Pakistan.
One of the IPB's member groups in the country, the Human Friends Organization,
fears that Pakistan may be heading towards a civil war, and calls for attention
and actions from human rights and peace organizations all over the world.
In addition to reports from media, the Human Friends Organizations writes:

“In his speech President Musharraf said that the emergency is being
imposed to curb extremism and terrorism. Instead of cracking down on the
extremist forces, he cracked down on the judiciary, lawyers, media,
civil society organizations and political workers....The emergency was
promulgated against extremism and terrorism, but up till now,
no action has been initiated against the militants at all.
...We strongly condemn this action and urge Musharraf to restore the
constitution and democracy in the country. International pressure is
required for a just cause, as basic human rights have been suspended and
Pakistani people are being deprived of information through the media."

IPB call for swift actions from all its member organizations and
concerned individuals to submit their protest to the Pakistani
embassies. We call for the release of human rights activists, lawyers,
media and civil society members, among them the OHCHR Special Rapporteur
on Freedom of Religion and Belief, Ms Asma Jahangir, who has been sentenced to house
arrest for 90 days.

Geneva, Tuesday 6th November 2007


--------------------

From: (Mr) Colin Archer, Secretary-General
International Peace Bureau
41 rue de Zurich, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland.
Tel: +41-22-731-6429, Fax: 738-9419
Email: mailbox@ipb.org
NEW WEBSITE:  www.ipb.org

The International Peace Bureau is dedicated to the vision of a World Without War. We are a Nobel Peace Laureate (1910) and over the years 13 of our officers have been recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize. Our 280 member organisations in 70 countries, and individual members, form a global network bringing together expertise and campaigning experience in a common cause. Our current main programme centres on Sustainable Disarmament for Sustainable Development. We welcome your participation.