* Report says major human rights problems included restrictions on citizens’ right to change their government, extra-judicial killings, torture, and disappearances
The human rights situation worsened during 2007, stemming primarily from President Pervez Musharraf’s decision to impose a 42-day state of emergency, suspend the Constitution and dismiss superior court judges, according to the annual Human Rights Report released by the United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday.

The section on Pakistan said that during 2007, the judiciary sought to check executive power and reverse President Musharraf’s March decision to suspend the chief justice of the Supreme Court. Civil society and the press widely supported the judiciary. The restored chief justice then began a series of “legal interventions” that received some public support but were considered “excessive” by the government.

The report said, “When he believed the Supreme Court was about to rule him ineligible for re-election as president, on November 3, General Musharraf declared a state of emergency and suspended the Constitution, which enabled him to replace the Supreme and High Court justices.” The review noted that additionally, the president demanded, as he had in 1999, that all judges, both replacements and sitting judges, swear an oath of loyalty to his new legal order, which they did in December.

Under his new powers, President Musharraf suspended basic civil liberties, including freedom of speech and assembly. In December, he lifted the emergency and restored and amended the Constitution, which enhanced his presidential powers.

Regulatory restrictions continued on press activities and freedom of assembly. During the 42 days of the emergency, the government imposed curbs on the media and arrested and/or detained over 6,000 lawyers, judges, political party workers/leaders, and civil society activists. By the end of the year, around one dozen activists, primarily lawyers and judges, remained under house arrest. The government restored public cable access to all but two channels of one private television station, but required the media to sign a code of conduct that discouraged criticism of the government and led to self-censorship.

Restrictions: The report noted, “Other major human rights problems included restrictions on citizens’ right to change their government, extra-judicial killings, torture, and disappearances. While the civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces, there were instances when local police acted independent of government authority. Violence from a low-level secessionist movement in Balochistan continued. Lengthy trial delays and failures to discipline and prosecute those responsible for abuses consistently contributed to a culture of impunity. Poor prison conditions, arbitrary arrests, and lengthy pre-trial detention remained problems, as did a lack of judicial independence. Corruption was widespread within the government and police forces, and the government made few attempts to combat the problem. Rape, domestic violence, and abuse against women, such as honour crimes and discriminatory legislation that affected women and religious minorities, remained serious problems, although implementation of the 2006 Women’s Protection Act improved conditions. Widespread trafficking in persons and exploitation of indentured, bonded, and child labour were ongoing problems.

Discrimination against religious minorities continued. Child abuse, commercial sexual exploitation of children, discrimination against persons with disabilities, and worker rights also remained concerns.