Message from Jean Lambert MEP

Here is a copy of the message received from Jean Lambert MEP Yesterday:

Dear Wilson,

Thanks for your email to Jean.Jean is about to become the Chair of the European Parliament's South Asia Delegation. One of the countries this delegation covers is Pakistan.

Such matters have been raised with then President Musharraf when he visited the European Parliament, and the Parliament continues to monitor human rights issues, including minority and religious rights in Pakistan.

Jean has raised these issues herself, and we have taken up individual human rights cases with the Pakistan Government over the years.Caroline Lucas's office has, I understand, already referred you to the recent European Parliament human rights report:

(http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&reference=P6-TA-2009-0385&format=XML&language=EN)

Below is the text for paragraph 98, which relates to Pakistan.98:

Urges the new Pakistani Government to take adequate steps towards the improvement of the human rights situation in Pakistan; refers to Amnesty International's request urging the Pakistani Government to reinstate all the judges illegally deposed by former President Pervez Musharraf in 2007; welcomes the fact that the EU deployed an independent election observation mission for the general parliamentary elections in February 2008; notes with satisfaction that the elections were competitive and resulted in increased public confidence in the democratic process; notes that the EU is committed to supporting the strengthening of democratic institutions, and calls on the Council and the Commission to support the movement for democracy started by the judiciary and the bar, particularly by extending invitations to some of their representatives, including Mr Choudhry; stresses the need for human rights to be one of the EU's main priorities within the framework of continuing dialogue with Pakistan;

Regarding your request for a meeting, Jean thinks it would be better to wait for the new delegation to become fully set up and operational first.

By all means send Jean any relevant information in the meantime.Kind regards,Danny Bates for Jean Lambert MEPGreen Party Member of the European Parliament for LondonWeb:

http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk

Facebook: http://www.tinyurl.com/jeanlambert

Email: jeanlambert@greenmeps.org.uk