The world reacts to Musharraf's declaration of emergency. Below is a roundup of items. Please add links below and your thoughts below. Earlier on SAJAforum: Emergency Declared in Pakistan.
IHT: World Leaders Condemn State of Emergency in Pakistan
The United States and Britain expressed grave concerns about Pakistan military ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf's declaration of a state of emergency Saturday, with leaders from both countries calling for a swift return to a democratic government.
Leaders from India, Pakistan's nuclear-armed rival, had a more tempered reaction, aimed at keeping tensions low, saying they "regret the difficult times" in Pakistan and hope for a return to "normalcy."
US State Department statement by Sean McCormack, spokesperson:
The United States is deeply disturbed by reports that Pakistani President Musharraf has taken extra-constitutional actions and has imposed a state of emergency. A state of emergency would be a sharp setback for Pakistani democracy and takes Pakistan off the path toward civilian rule. President Musharraf has stated repeatedly that he will step down as Chief of Army Staff before re-taking the presidential oath of office and has promised to hold elections by January 15th. We expect him to uphold these commitments and urge him to do so immediately.
The United States stand with the people of Pakistan in supporting a democratic process and in countering violent extremism. We urge all parties to work together to complete the transition to democracy and civilian rule without violence or delay.
From the Committee to Protect Journalists (full text below):
"We are greatly disturbed by President Musharraf's decision to suspend Pakistan's constitution today. Even more chilling are reports that, having silenced all private television stations, the government intends to detain journalists who are critical of the government's actions. At a time of such crisis it is imperative that Pakistanis have access to independent media to be fully informed about the events affecting their lives," said Bob Dietz, CPJ's Asia program coordinator.
From Reporters Without Borders (full text below):
Reporters Without Borders today expressed deep concern after Pakistan´s president, General Pervez Musharraf declared emergency rule and ordered a halt to broadcasts by privately-owned TV in all the country´s major cities.
See full texts below. Post your comments and links below.
Earlier on SAJAforum: Emergency Declared in Pakistan.
Committee to Protect Journalists, Bob Deitz, bdietz[at]cpj.org:
Committee to Protect Journalists
Contact: Bob Dietz, CPJ Asia Program CoordinatorPAKISTAN: CPJ Deplores Media Ban
New York, NY, November 3, 2007-The Committee to Protect Journalists released this statement Saturday following Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's declaration of a state of emergency at around 6 p.m. in Islamabad.
"We are greatly disturbed by President Musharraf's decision to suspend Pakistan's constitution today. Even more chilling are reports that, having silenced all private television stations, the government intends to detain journalists who are critical of the government's actions. At a time of such crisis it is imperative that Pakistanis have access to independent media to be fully informed about the events affecting their lives," said Bob Dietz, CPJ's Asia program coordinator.
"We are calling on President Musharraf to lift the media ban and let journalists do their jobs freely," said Dietz.
Reporters Without Borders, asie[at]rsf.org:
Reporters Without Borders
Press release
3 November 2007PAKISTAN
Privately-owned TV broadcasts blacked out after declaration of Emergency ruleReporters Without Borders today expressed deep concern after Pakistan´s president, General Pervez Musharraf declared emergency rule and ordered a halt to broadcasts by privately-owned TV in all the country´s major cities.
Mobile phone communications were also cut in some regions as the constitution was suspended and the country plunged into a deep political crisis. In Islamabad, police surrounded the Supreme Court which was due to give its verdict over the next few days on the legality of the president´s re-election on 6 October.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) was ordered by the president´s office to halt all private cable and satellite broadcasts of all regional and national channels, particularly news channels. Only Pakistani public television PTV, on which the president was due to speak in the evening, was allowed to continue broadcasting. Otherwise just a few entertainment channels were left untouched.
Blackouts were first imposed in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore before being extended to other cities such as Karachi and Peshawar. Mobile phone communications were frequently interrupted in the capital.
"The government headed by General Musharraf is certainly confronted with a number of challenges, including violence by the most radical Islamist groups, but that is not a reason to impose a state of emergency and to restrict press freedom in this way," the worldwide press freedom organisation said.
"The illegality of this latest coup has been confirmed by the supreme court. The head of state should listen to it and cancel this decision which has dramatic consequences for freedom of expression. We urge the government and the army to quickly allow a resumption of broadcasts by the Pakistani television channels and allow the press to work freely and safely," the organisation said
Pakistan is in 152nd position in Reporters Without Borders world press freedom rankings released in October 2007.
