B4-1528/95

Resolution on the detention of Dr Munawar A. Halepota

The European Parliament,

A.gravely concerned by the reports of the arrest of Dr Munawar A. Halepota at Tandollawar, Pakistan, on 28 November 1995, and his transfer to another, then unknown, place of detention on 30 November; aware that he is now officially stated to be detained in Islamabad but that, according to reports, his lawyer is not allowed access to him,

B.whereas Dr Halepota, who is a citizen of the EU as he holds dual British/Pakistani nationality, has long advocated the peaceful settlement of the disputes ravaging the province of Scinde,

C.pointing out that Dr Halepota, as Secretary-General of the World Sindhi Congress, took part in a seminar in London from 7 to 8 October 1995 in which the problems of Scinde were publicly discussed and that Dr Halepota is apparently being held under Section 505 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which is directed against those 'making statements conducive to public mischief',

D.aware that according to the Code of Criminal Procedure of Pakistan, Section 167, a magistrate can authorize detention in police custody for up to 14 days and that, in the case of Dr. Halepota, this period has now expired,

E.aware that maltreatment and torture are sometimes illegally inflicted on those held in custody in Pakistan,

1.Calls on the Pakistani authorities either to release Dr Halepota forthwith or to bring him before a court, allowing his family and lawyers access to him;

2.Calls on the Council and the Commission to make representations to the Pakistani Government about their anxiety over the fate of this citizen of a Member State;

3.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Government of Pakistan.