Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ISLAMABAD2444
2008-07-19 08:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
PROPOSED HUMAN RIGHTS REFORMS
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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002444
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PK PREL PHUM PTER
SUBJECT: PROPOSED HUMAN RIGHTS REFORMS
UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002444
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PK PREL PHUM PTER
SUBJECT: PROPOSED HUMAN RIGHTS REFORMS
1. (SBU) Summary: The Pakistan People's Party-led
government used the occasion of what would have been Benazir
Bhutto's 55th birthday to propose several important human
rights initiatives. The cabinet approved PM Gilani's plan to
commute the death sentences of approximately 7,000 prisoners
to life (24 years); the proposal awaits President Musharraf's
signature. Gilani also announced plans to end pre-trial
detention for as many as 80,000 suspects awaiting trial. He
also has proposed measures to improve the conditions inside
jails. None of these measures would apply to persons accused
or convicted of murder or terrorism. While the human rights
and minority communities welcomed the plan to commute death
penalty sentences, the religious parties that support a death
sentence for blasphemy opposed the move. eND Summary.
Commuting the Death Penalty
--------------
2. (SBU) On July 2, the cabinet approved Prime Minister
Gilani's (Pakistan People's Party) June 21 request to commute
current death sentences to life imprisonment. Gilani
announced his initiative on what would have been Benazir
Bhutto's 55th birthday; the PPP has long protested the
execution of Benazir's father, Zulfakir Ali Bhutto.
President Musharraf must still approve the decision affecting
approximately 7,000 prisoners. The Minister of Information
confirmed that this action will not apply to prisoners
charged as spies and terrorists. Life imprisonment is
current defined as 24 years. Gilani has not yet introduced
legislation in the National Assembly to outlaw the death
penalty..
3. (SBU) The announcement was welcomed by both the human
rights community and religious minorities concerned with
death sentences for those convicted of blasphemy. Embassy
legal contacts, however, questioned whether the GOP would
commute death sentences for blasphemers. Hard-line religious
groups, including coalition partner Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam,
have already strongly opposed Gilani's proposal.
4. (SBU) The Supreme Court also expressed concern July 4 by
seeking a written explanation of the government's initiative.
The Court is concerned both with jurisdictional issues and
preserving the rights of murder victims' families, who have
the final say under Pakistani law over whether a convicted
murderer should be put to death.
Ending Pre-Trial Detentions
--------------
5. (SBU) Gilani also announced plans to end Pakistan's
practice of keeping the accused in detention before trial.
If approved, the press reports this could affect as many as
80,000 persons now behind bars. Many prisoners serve their
entire sentence and more before conviction, a glaring human
rights abuse that the U.S. and others have repeatedly
criticized. Those accused of terrorism and murder would be
exempt. The move would also reduce prison overcrowding;
Gilani has also spoken of improving conditions for
prisoners--expanding exercise and reading rights--but has yet
to submit formal proposals. Interestingly, the Federal
Sharia Court, which supersedes Parliament on religious laws,
plans to rule on the legality of pre-trial detentions in
September.
PATTERSON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PK PREL PHUM PTER
SUBJECT: PROPOSED HUMAN RIGHTS REFORMS
1. (SBU) Summary: The Pakistan People's Party-led
government used the occasion of what would have been Benazir
Bhutto's 55th birthday to propose several important human
rights initiatives. The cabinet approved PM Gilani's plan to
commute the death sentences of approximately 7,000 prisoners
to life (24 years); the proposal awaits President Musharraf's
signature. Gilani also announced plans to end pre-trial
detention for as many as 80,000 suspects awaiting trial. He
also has proposed measures to improve the conditions inside
jails. None of these measures would apply to persons accused
or convicted of murder or terrorism. While the human rights
and minority communities welcomed the plan to commute death
penalty sentences, the religious parties that support a death
sentence for blasphemy opposed the move. eND Summary.
Commuting the Death Penalty
--------------
2. (SBU) On July 2, the cabinet approved Prime Minister
Gilani's (Pakistan People's Party) June 21 request to commute
current death sentences to life imprisonment. Gilani
announced his initiative on what would have been Benazir
Bhutto's 55th birthday; the PPP has long protested the
execution of Benazir's father, Zulfakir Ali Bhutto.
President Musharraf must still approve the decision affecting
approximately 7,000 prisoners. The Minister of Information
confirmed that this action will not apply to prisoners
charged as spies and terrorists. Life imprisonment is
current defined as 24 years. Gilani has not yet introduced
legislation in the National Assembly to outlaw the death
penalty..
3. (SBU) The announcement was welcomed by both the human
rights community and religious minorities concerned with
death sentences for those convicted of blasphemy. Embassy
legal contacts, however, questioned whether the GOP would
commute death sentences for blasphemers. Hard-line religious
groups, including coalition partner Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam,
have already strongly opposed Gilani's proposal.
4. (SBU) The Supreme Court also expressed concern July 4 by
seeking a written explanation of the government's initiative.
The Court is concerned both with jurisdictional issues and
preserving the rights of murder victims' families, who have
the final say under Pakistani law over whether a convicted
murderer should be put to death.
Ending Pre-Trial Detentions
--------------
5. (SBU) Gilani also announced plans to end Pakistan's
practice of keeping the accused in detention before trial.
If approved, the press reports this could affect as many as
80,000 persons now behind bars. Many prisoners serve their
entire sentence and more before conviction, a glaring human
rights abuse that the U.S. and others have repeatedly
criticized. Those accused of terrorism and murder would be
exempt. The move would also reduce prison overcrowding;
Gilani has also spoken of improving conditions for
prisoners--expanding exercise and reading rights--but has yet
to submit formal proposals. Interestingly, the Federal
Sharia Court, which supersedes Parliament on religious laws,
plans to rule on the legality of pre-trial detentions in
September.
PATTERSON