[sacw] Statement by scholars & activists on recent events in Pakistan

[amrita chhachhi]

PLEASE CIRCULATE WIDELY !!
=============================
8 May 1999, Amsterdam

We fellows of The Transnational Institute, scholars and activists from
different parts of the world attending this international meeting strongly
condemn the systematic harrasment of journalists,
specifically those who have been opposing nuclearisation of Pakistan. We are
deeply concerned at the recent spate of abductions and arrests of senior
journalists like Najam Sethi and the
ransacking of the house of Imtiaz Alam a noted columnist. We demand the
immediate release of Mr Sethi.

We also condemn the decision of Pakistani and Indian governments to
celebrate the anniversary of Nuclear tests conducted on May 11 and 28 last
year. We call upon the two governments to
refrain from proceeding with Nuclear and Missile development. We demand that
the five official Nuclear weapons states immediatly initiate negotiations on
complete Nuclear disarmament in
accordance with their obligation under Article 6 of the NPT, the mandate of
the World court and the repeated request of the UN General assembly.

Signed by:

Susan George (France)
Peter Weiss (U.S.)
Hilary Wainright (U.K.)
Walden Bello (Philippines)
John Cavanagh (U.S.)
Karamat Ali (Pakistan)
Amrita Chhachhi (India)
Ari Sitas (South Africa)
Theo Roncken (Bolivia)
Karel Koster (Netherlands)
Danial Chavez (Uruguay)
Roger van Zwanenburg (Britain)
Daphne Wysham (U.S.)
Dot Keet (South Africa)
Phyllis Bennis (U.S.)
Praful Bidwai (India)
Harsh Kapoor (India)
Howard Wachtel (U.S.)
Joel Rocamora (Philippines)
Alex Weldhof (Netherlands)
Pauline Tiffen (U.K.)
Marieme Helie-Lucas (Algeria)
Ricardo Soberon (Peru)
Coletta Youngers (U.S.)
Margarita Nanda Schulz (Argentina)
Martin Jelsma (Netherlands)
Oronto Douglas (Nigeria)
Tom Blickman (Netherlands)
Mariano Aguirre (Spain)
James Early (U.S.)
Cristine Estrada (Spain)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/act
http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications