Green support for Pakistani Green leader and call for a free and fair election in Pakistan 2013

Background

On 19 September Liaquat Ali Shaikh, Chairperson of the Pakistan Green Party, was illegally detained by local authorities in the Jacobabad District of Pakistan, and held for 7 days incommunicado and subjected to physical abuse and torture. He was engaged in flood relief when arrested. The reason for his arrest was to prevent him from conducting political activities in the district in the lead up to the Pakistani elections in January 2013. While in detention, his family was pressured to signing a statement that his release was conditional on renouncing political activity. Liaquat intends to stand for the election and fears that he may be subject to intimidation to prevent him from contesting the seat.

Resolution

That the EGP

1. Condemns the illegal detention and torture of Liaquat Ali Shaikh and demands that the Pakistani authorities investigate the incident as a matter of urgency and make the findings public.

2. Calls on the government of Pakistan to take all necessary measures to ensure that the 2013 elections are conducted in free, fair and safe manner, enabling all candidates to participate without fear.

3. Invites the European Parliament to send a monitoring team to observe the 2013 Pakistan elections.

4. Agree to establish mechanisms to ensure that future incidents involving threats and intimidation of Greens around the world can be responded to in a timely and effective way.

*/ an amendment to the text from the Swiss Greens has been withdrawn with their consent.