Presidential election in Pakistan, human rights activists reject Zardari candidacy
Lahore (AsiaNews) - "Asif Ali Zardari does not fulfill the objective criteria that a president is expected to meet". This is the tough stance of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), according to which the selection of a head of state must not observe only the "constitutional requirements", but also evaluate the "values" at the basis of democracy and of every civil society that the new president "must reflect".
In a note sent to AsiaNews, Asma Jahangir - head of the HRCP - asks that the next president not become a new "obstacle" in the journey toward the "democratization" of the country. He expresses his hope for "transparency" in the process leading to the appointment, and calls upon the political parties to exercise "wisdom" in addressing the "serious crisis" that Pakistan is facing. Musharraf's resignation has marked a "significant turning point", but the democratic process is "fragile", and is a journey "still in the very early stages".
The human rights commission acknowledges that Zardari, the widower of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, spent many years in prison - on corruption accusations, among others - and suffered torture. But this by itself "cannot be a qualification for aspiring for the highest office of the country", and for the political immunity guaranteed by the National Reconciliation Ordinance. "HRCP fully opposes any form of revenge or victimization", the statement reads, "but cannot accept indemnities and impunities for past and future holders of public office".
Asma Jahangir also illustrates the qualities that the new head of state must possess in order to ensure peace and stability: he must inspire trust, have credibility, and be neutral toward the various political parties. "There should be no shadow of doubt on his or her past", because the person who will become the future "symbol of the federation" must be capable of building "bridges amongst all democratic forces" instead of being "partisan or a manipulative politician", as in the past. In view of the upcoming presidential election, scheduled for September 6, the human rights activist is asking the Pakistani electoral commission - charged with certifying the regularity of the voting - to conduct the election "honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law and that corrupt practices are guarded against". Finally, he denounces the failure to consult the political parties in the parliament, and the excessive haste in setting a date for the voting.
As of now, there are three candidates for the election on September 6, but the definitive list of names will be delivered on August 30. The candidates now are: former Supreme Court chief justice Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui, backed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz; Mushahid Husain, for the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, the party of former president Musharraf; and Asif Zardari, for the Pakistan Peoples Party.
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25/09/2007
