A Christian human rights group has today called for the immediate release of all human rights defenders and lawyers arrested in the past two days in Pakistan, and for the restoration of basic democratic freedoms in the country.

|PIC1|According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) hundreds of lawyers and human rights activists have been detained since Pakistan's President, Pervez Musharraf, declared a State of Emergency and suspended the Constitution on 3 November.

Among those detained are leading Pakistani human rights lawyer Asma Jahangir, who serves as UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion and Belief, and I.A. Rehman, director of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Asma Jahangir is currently under house arrest.

CSW's Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas, said: "We are deeply concerned about the widespread abuse of human rights and suspension of basic freedoms in Pakistan, and are monitoring the situation very closely.

"We are shocked that in the name of fighting extremism, human rights defenders and progressive opposition politicians have been rounded up and arrested.

"We are outraged that a UN Special Rapporteur, Asma Jahangir, and other very prominent human rights campaigners such as I.A. Rehman should be arrested."

He concluded: "President Musharraf must restore a democratic and constitutional process immediately, stop harassing peaceful democratic activists and release all lawyers, human rights protestors and opposition leaders who have been arrested.

"The international community should do all it can to urge President Musharraf to focus his attention on religious extremists and terrorists, and to restore respect for human rights in Pakistan."