APWLD condemns Benazir Bhutto Assassination

The Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) condemns the assassination of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan, and expresses profound disappointment at the Pakistani authorities’ lack of attempt to bring the culprits to justice.

The death of Benazir Bhutto, twice elected Prime Minister of Pakistan and one of the few women leaders of government in the world, is a terrible reminder of the work that remains to bring peace, stability, and hope to regions of the globe too often paralysed by fear, hatred, and violence.

APWLD is appalled at the way the authorities have handled the assassination: the scene of the crime cleaned up overnight destroying any evidence of what happened, the government’s version of the cause of death; the delayed and vague medical report; the whisking away of her body in the middle of the night; the washing down of the crime scene; the callousness with which the government gave proof of her ‘accident’ when so much other evidence was immediately available, and blaming it on a suicide bomber motivated by extremist groups. APWLD is concerned that Benazir Bhutto’s assassination is being covered up by the authorities.

APWLD strongly demands:

• that an investigation into the assassination is carried out within a transparent process ensuring that the people of Pakistan are fully informed of all the proceedings and verdict;
  
  
• that justice and human rights principles be upheld at all times and her murderers are identified and are held accountable; and
  
  
• Elections planned for 18 February 2008 are free, fair and transparent; that no attempts is made by the establishment to influence the outcome; and that the government, ensure that there is no violence throughout the election process which includes on the day or even after the elections.

APWLD is a regional women’s human rights network of 150 members in 23 countries of the Asia Pacific region committed to enabling women to use law as an instrument of social change, equality and development.