The Civil Society's Alliance for Protection of Human Rights is outraged at the statement reportedly made by the President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharaf in an interview with a correspondent of the Washington Post in New York on September 14, 2005 in which he has been reported to have said that rape has become a money making concern in Pakistan and women get raped to become rich and/or get visas for Canada.
The eight NGOs alliance working in the NWFP including Shirkat Gah, Aurat Foundation, HRMDC, SPO, HRCP, Sungi, Khwendo Kor and Noor Education Trust demands a public apology from the President for his statement.
The alliance considers this a sheer insult and utter humiliation not only to the women of Pakistan but the entire nation.
It is also an indication of the Pakistani government's utter failure in improving access to justice in the country for victims of violence. The existence of discriminatory laws on the statute books shows the continued tolerance towards violence in the country.
The alliance plans to consult other civil society and human rights groups for chalking out a strategy to protest against the President's statement and setting on a long-term struggle for protection of human rights in the country. The alliance joins in support of the large group of human rights activists gathered in New York to protest against President Musharraf's government policies on violence against women and demanding justice and freedom from violence.-PR