OSI Condemns the Declaration of “Emergency” in Pakistan; Calls for Immediate Release of Asma Jahangir and Other Detainees

NEW YORK—The Open Society Institute condemns the imposition of emergency martial law in Pakistan, the dismissal of the Supreme Court, and the arrest and detention of judges, lawyers, journalists and human rights defenders.

We call on the government of Pakistan to restore the independence of the judiciary and the freedom of the press. We demand the immediate release of Asma Jahangir, a member of the Open Society Institute's international board, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, and United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, who has been placed under house arrest.

OSI is deeply concerned for the well-being of civil society activists and independent voices in Pakistan at this time. General Musharraf purports to be taking action because of the threat of violent extremists, but this crackdown is targeting the judiciary, the media, and democratic civil society. We call for the release of all those detained without charges of violent activity, and for the restoration of the suspended 1973 constitution.

We call upon the United States, the United Kingdom, and all other governments to suspend all assistance to the Government of Pakistan. We continue to support the immediate resumption of the democratic process, including free and fair elections in January 2008.

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