Risks feared after Pakistan’s State of Emergency

17 December 2007, 12:56PM

We are seriously concerned that the lifting of the State of Emergency in Pakistan on Saturday (15 December 2007) will leave the constitution fundamentally flawed, allowing human rights violations to continue unchecked.

Key changes made under the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) during the State of Emergency will become permanent, including the removal of key independent judges who have pursued a human rights agenda. The power of the Supreme Court will remain severely weakened, denying it any judicial review over President Musharraf's orders or his Government's actions during the emergency.

Amnesty International is demanding that the superior court judges removed from service under the PCO are reinstated and an independent judiciary is allowed to fulfil its critical role in the protection of human rights and the rule of law.

By Category

• Against the Death Penalty
• Arms trade
• Asia Pacific
• Australia
• Crisis
• Good News
• Human Rights Charter
• Refugees
• Human Rights in China
• Torture and Terror
• Stop Violence Against Women
• Other

By month

• January 2009
• December 2008
• November 2008
• October 2008
• September 2008
• August 2008
• July 2008
• June 2008
• May 2008
• April 2008
• March 2008
• February 2008

Make an impact

You can make a difference right now. Your action will help shine the light of hope into people's lives across the world.

Check out what 4880 people are doing right now to support human rights.

Stay Informed

Get Involved

Amnesty International relies on your support to continue our vital work protecting human rights. Please help us keep governments accountable, bring the guilty to justice, and save lives.

• Join Amnesty International
• Act locally