EU, HRW criticise Musharrafs decision to declare an emergency

EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana has regretted the decision of President Pervez Musharrafs to declare a state of emergency and urged him to act within the constitution.

Brussels, Nov 4 : EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana has regretted the decision of President Pervez Musharraf's to declare a state of emergency and urged him to act within the constitution.

"We regret the decision to declare the state of emergency. We recognise Pakistan's current difficult political and security situation. We express support for Pakistan's struggle against extremism," Solana said.

"We urge a solution to be found within the Constitution. We condemn any provisions of the state of emergency that are unconstitutional. In general, the rule of law must be respected," he added.

He said that the scheduled election must take place on the date that has been arranged, and added that the democratic process should not be interrupted any further.

The Human Rights Watch has also condemned the Provisional Constitution Order calling it a "shameless attempt to prevent Pakistanis from enjoying their basic rights under the law and a brazen attempt at muzzling the judiciary."It is dishonest of the Pakistani Government to refer to this extra-constitutional and illegal action as the imposition of a state of emergency," the New York-based human rights watchdog group said in a statement.

It urged the Bush Administration to end its support for Musharraf, the Dawn reported.

The HRW noted that the state of emergency could have been imposed within the framework of the Constitution. Instead, the constitution is no longer in force.

"Unwilling to tolerate an independent judiciary that could possibly rule his election illegal, Musharraf has sought to muzzle it through extra-constitutional means," it said.

ANI