By Anne-France White - 11th September 2006
Pakistan’s president Pervez Musharraf will come under pressure over human rights as he meets EU leaders during a visit to Brussels on Tuesday.
European parliament president Josep Borrell is expected to raise the case of Mirza Tahir Hussain, a UK citizen who has spent the last 18 years in prison in Pakistan and whose stay of execution expires on October 1.
Hussain’s brother, Amjad Hussain, told this website that Borrell, along with British leader Tony Blair, has already pleaded for freedom for his brother.
“I have been assured that Borrell will plead for my brother’s life,” Hussain told TheParliament.com.
Amnesty International is urging EU leaders to call for Pakistan – where the rate of executions is among the highest in the world – to abolish the death penalty.
“Given the EU’s strong commitment to oppose the death penalty, president Musharraf should be pressed hard for a moratorium on all executions,” said Amnesty director Dick Oosting.
During his visit, Musharraf is also scheduled to meet EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, European commission president José Manuel Barroso, and Belgian leader Guy Verhofstadt.
Items under discussion with EU leaders are likely to include the disputed region of Kashmir, Islamic tensions, and relations with the US and Europe.
After Brussels, Musharraf’s tour will include visits to Cuba, the United Nations and Washington.
Musharraf will meet with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his trip to Cuba as part of the ongoing peace process between Pakistan and India – an encounter which Musharraf has indicated is a key priority of his trip.
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