![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
flexibeastPakistan is seen as a major ally of the West in the Middle East / South Asia region, particularly in the "War on Terror". (Ironically, Pakistan officials have recently complained that the emphasis on the "War on Terror" is impeding their anti-narcotics work - a particularly important issue for Pakistan since opium production in neighbouring Afghanistan has tripled since 2003.) Given this status, let's have a look at the political and social situation in Pakistan at the moment.
In October of 1999, General Pervez Musharraf seized power in a military coup. In response, the Commonwealth of Nations suspended Pakistan's membership of the Commonwealth. In 2001, Musharraf declared himself President, whilst at the same time retaining his role as head of the army. Last year, however, in response to assurances by Musharraf that he would step down from one of his roles - either as President or as head of the army - the Commonwealth re-admitted Pakistan as a member. This turned out to be premature, because Musharraf recently declared that he would stay on in both roles.
'Bonded labour' - a polite term for 'slavery' - is rife in Pakistan, despite the practice being technically illegal. It is estimated that there are 5 million people 'bonded' to their employers. Given that the UN estimates that there are 20 million 'bonded' people worldwide, this means that Pakistan, which has approximately 2.5% of the world's population, has approximately 20% of the world's slaves.
Also rife is the practice of karo-kari, or 'honour killing'. This is the practice of killing people - typically women - who, it is felt, have brought dishonour to their family name. It is estimated that karo-kiri has resulted in the deaths of approximately 4000 women over the last six years. Despite this, the Pakistani government recently rejected a bill to strengthen the laws against this practice.
Finally, a Pakistanti court recently overturned a decision convicting five men of a gang rape of a woman. A panchayat, or village council, had ordered the woman to be raped as punishment for her 12 year old brother having a sexual affair with a woman from another clan. Such panchyat-ordered or -authorised rapes are not new; last year a landowner attacked two women when he discovered that his daughter had had "illicit relations" with the brother of one of the women.
The human rights situation in Pakistan is appalling, particularly for women. Even a recent report by the US State Department described the situation as "improving but poor". (Although the Chinese government, criticised in the report, retaliated by noting that the US itself doesn't necessarily have a great human rights record.) But who cares? The really important news is about lots of loud cars going round and round and round real fast . . . . :-/
In October of 1999, General Pervez Musharraf seized power in a military coup. In response, the Commonwealth of Nations suspended Pakistan's membership of the Commonwealth. In 2001, Musharraf declared himself President, whilst at the same time retaining his role as head of the army. Last year, however, in response to assurances by Musharraf that he would step down from one of his roles - either as President or as head of the army - the Commonwealth re-admitted Pakistan as a member. This turned out to be premature, because Musharraf recently declared that he would stay on in both roles.
'Bonded labour' - a polite term for 'slavery' - is rife in Pakistan, despite the practice being technically illegal. It is estimated that there are 5 million people 'bonded' to their employers. Given that the UN estimates that there are 20 million 'bonded' people worldwide, this means that Pakistan, which has approximately 2.5% of the world's population, has approximately 20% of the world's slaves.
Also rife is the practice of karo-kari, or 'honour killing'. This is the practice of killing people - typically women - who, it is felt, have brought dishonour to their family name. It is estimated that karo-kiri has resulted in the deaths of approximately 4000 women over the last six years. Despite this, the Pakistani government recently rejected a bill to strengthen the laws against this practice.
Finally, a Pakistanti court recently overturned a decision convicting five men of a gang rape of a woman. A panchayat, or village council, had ordered the woman to be raped as punishment for her 12 year old brother having a sexual affair with a woman from another clan. Such panchyat-ordered or -authorised rapes are not new; last year a landowner attacked two women when he discovered that his daughter had had "illicit relations" with the brother of one of the women.
The human rights situation in Pakistan is appalling, particularly for women. Even a recent report by the US State Department described the situation as "improving but poor". (Although the Chinese government, criticised in the report, retaliated by noting that the US itself doesn't necessarily have a great human rights record.) But who cares? The really important news is about lots of loud cars going round and round and round real fast . . . . :-/
no subject
Date: 2005-03-06 03:42 (UTC)