Protest the imposition of martial law in Pakistan

We the undersigned individuals and organizations join Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era, (DAWN) in vehemently condemning the imposition of emergency rule in Pakistan and the continued State violence and violations of human rights. We condemn in particular the violence unleashed on peaceful and liberal sections of civil society struggling to safeguard democracy and civil liberties in the country. We are particularly concerned about the arbitrary arrests and the imprisonment of large numbers of political and human rights activists, including members of the Supreme Court and the bar, among them women respected locally and internationally in their fields of work and activism. We also express our grave concern on the curbing of media freedom and the arrest and detention of sections of the media.

We note with apprehension the continued house arrest, under a 90 day preventive detention order, of Human Rights lawyer, Ms. Asma Jahangir, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief and may other leading civil society activists. We are also disturbed that a similar warrant has been issued against lawyer and women's rights activist Ms. Hina Jilani, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Human Rights Defenders who is expected to be detained by the police when she returns from overseas. We call for the immediate revoking of these orders and the release of all political detainees, arbitrarily held since the imposition of emergency rule.

We also call upon the government of Pakistan to withdraw emergency regulations, restore the independence of the judiciary and lift the restrictions imposed on the media. These are indispensable elements in the transition to democracy and it is only in such a climate that human rights, basic freedoms and socially responsive initiatives may flourish and free and fair elections can be held in Pakistan.

Bene Madunagu (General Coordinator), Girls Power Initiative – Nigeria

Gita Sen (Political Economy of Globalization), Professor, Centre for Public Policy, Indian Institute of Management - India

Sonia Correa (Sexual and Reproductive Rights), Brazilian Interdisciplinary AIDS Association, Sexuality Policy Watch – Brazil

Celita Eccher (Latin America), International Council for Adult Education – Uruguay

Gigi Francisco (South East Asia), International Gender and Trade Network-Asia, Women and Gender Institute Miriam College – Philippines

Afua Hesse (Anglophone Africa), African Public Health Rights Alliance; Multidisciplinary African Women's Health Network; NETRIGHT – Ghana

Anita Nayar (Political Ecology and Sustainability), University of Sussex – India/USA

Kumudini Samuel (South Asia), Women and Media Collective – Sri Lanka

Claire Slatter (Past General Coordinator), Pacific Network on Globalisation – Fiji

Fatou Sow (Francophone Africa), Women Living Under Muslim Laws, Université Paris-Diderot, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar – Senegal

Viviene Taylor (Political Restructuring & Social Transformation), Southern African Development Education Programme, University of Cape Town - South Africa

Yvonne Underhill-Sem (Pacific), University of Auckland – Cook Islands/New Zealand

Judith Wedderburn (Caribbean), Women's Media Watch – Jamaica

Mariama Williams (Political Economy of Globalisation-Trade), International Gender and Trade Network; Institute of Law and Economics – Jamaica/USA