Jean Lambert speaks up for Pakistan human rights

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From the Office of Jean Lambert London's Green Member of the European Parliament

London MEP expresses concerns over Pakistan in European Parliament

London Green MEP, Jean Lambert, addressed the European Parliament yesterday afternoon (16/01/08) during a debate on the political state of Pakistanfollowing the assassination of Benazir Bhutto earlier this month. Speakingahead of President Musharraf's visit to Brussels next week, Ms Lambert expressed her concern over the judicial system and security of the country,which has a stock of nuclear arms.

Jean Lambert expressed her sympathy for the family of Benazir Bhutto and allthose who have lost loved ones in recent violent attacks. The European Commission also paid its respects to Ms Bhutto, describing her death as a "national tragedy" and "a loss to the world". It called for the elections totake place without further delay and signalled that it would be deploying aformal observation mission to oversee the elections in Pakistan to ensurethat a fair and transparent process takes place.

Jean Lambert, who is a Member of the Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justic eand Home Affairs Committee in the European Parliament, said: "I fully support the steps the European Commission intends to take to aidfair and transparent elections in Pakistan. It is essential that people haveconfidence in the electoral system and its outcome. "It's also vital that the people of Pakistan have an independent and fully-functioning judicial system which ensures fair trials. There must be an end to detention without charge and secret prisons and there should be a commitment from the next Government to continue the enquiries into thecivilian disappearances that have taken place.

"There is a desperate need for stability in Pakistan, both for its people and the international community: this is, after all, a nuclear state. I welcome the commitment from the European Union to give aid for education,which I believe will be more powerful for the country than the support through arms that other states have provided."


ENDS For more information please contact: Georgina Bloomfield, Media Officer Tel: 020 7407 6280 Email: media@jeanlambertmep.org.uk www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk