London MEP expresses concerns over Pakistan in European Parliament
17 January 2008
London Green MEP, Jean Lambert, addressed the European Parliament yesterdayafternoon (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 Lambertexpressed 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 EuropeanCommission 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, Justiceand 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 andfully-functioning judicial system which ensures fair trials. There must bean end to detention without charge and secret prisons and there should be acommitment 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 peopleand the international community: this is, after all, a nuclear state. Iwelcome the commitment from the European Union to give aid for education,which I believe will be more powerful for the country than the supportthrough arms that other states have provided."
