Democratic transition: US throws weight behind timely election
Michael Posner meets chief election commissioner, discusses poll preparations.
A file photo of US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Michael Posner. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
The United States said on Friday that it wanted to see parliamentary polls take place on time in Pakistan amid growing fears that the process could be hit by delays.
US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Michael Posner met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Fakhruddin Ebrahim on Friday and voiced strong support for a democratically elected civilian government in Pakistan going forward.
Posner also discussed election preparations with the CEC.
Posner, wrapping up his two-day trip, also discussed human rights issues with Pakistani authorities , including ways to address challenges to religious freedom and an accountability mechanism to help ensure the respect and protection of human rights, according to a statement issued by the US Embassy.
“We look forward to timely, free, and fair elections that will result in the first civilian democratic transition in Pakistan’s history,” he added.
Posner also met with the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Human Rights, Mustafa Khokhar and Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Harmony, Dr Paul Bhatti.
A US diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity said Washington’s concerns about human rights violations were well documented. The diplomat added that the US was concerned over extrajudicial killings and religious intolerance in Pakistan.
In an annual report on human rights, the US State Department said that the “most serious human rights’ problems” in Pakistan included extrajudicial killings, torture and disappearances by both security forces and terrorists. “Lack of government accountability remains a pervasive problem. Abuses often went unpunished, fostering a culture of impunity,” the report read.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 9th, 2013.
The United States said on Friday that it wanted to see parliamentary polls take place on time in Pakistan amid growing fears that the process could be hit by delays.
US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Michael Posner met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Fakhruddin Ebrahim on Friday and voiced strong support for a democratically elected civilian government in Pakistan going forward.
Posner also discussed election preparations with the CEC.
Posner, wrapping up his two-day trip, also discussed human rights issues with Pakistani authorities , including ways to address challenges to religious freedom and an accountability mechanism to help ensure the respect and protection of human rights, according to a statement issued by the US Embassy.
“We look forward to timely, free, and fair elections that will result in the first civilian democratic transition in Pakistan’s history,” he added.
Posner also met with the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Human Rights, Mustafa Khokhar and Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Harmony, Dr Paul Bhatti.
A US diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity said Washington’s concerns about human rights violations were well documented. The diplomat added that the US was concerned over extrajudicial killings and religious intolerance in Pakistan.
In an annual report on human rights, the US State Department said that the “most serious human rights’ problems” in Pakistan included extrajudicial killings, torture and disappearances by both security forces and terrorists. “Lack of government accountability remains a pervasive problem. Abuses often went unpunished, fostering a culture of impunity,” the report read.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 9th, 2013.