This just in from Peter Tatchell, glowing and just back from his average night on the town. Oh, I’ll let him tell you more, De Bello Gallico style…
President Musharraf’s limousine was forced to halt in Park Lane, London, tonight (25 January), when human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell ran in front of his car in protest at the Pakistan dictator’s “suppression of democracy and human rights.” The ambush happened outside the Hilton Hotel Park Lane, as the President’s motorcade drew close to the hotel, where he was scheduled to speak.
“I stood inconspicuously at a bus stop reading a newspaper, waiting for Musharraf’s motorcade to arrive,” recalled Mr Tatchell.
"When the police motorcycle escorts drew level, I ran out into Park Lane and straight in front of the President’s car. It screeched to a halt.
"I unfurled a placard protesting against Musharraf’s massacre of civilians in occupied Baluchistan. The placard read:
“Stop Pakistan Massacre of Baluch people.”
"Musharraf could clearly see the placard. He did not look pleased.
"His driver tried to back up and drive around me, but I ran in front of the limousine again, forcing it to halt once more.
"I could see Musharraf in the back seat shouting something at his driver. Perhaps he feared that I was an assassin or a suicide bomber.
"The limo reversed again and tried to swerve past me. I blocked it for the third time.
"Musharraf and his colleagues look very agitated.
"Eventually, police motorcycle escorts ran over and dragged me away from the bonnet of Musharraf’s vehicle.
"They pulled me across the road to the central reservation in Park Lane, where I was pinned against the railing.
"Shortly afterwards, the police let me go and I joined the main anti-Musharraf demonstration outside the Hilton Hotel, organised by lawyers protesting against the arrest of fellow lawyers and supreme court judges in Pakistan.
"Although my placard specifically condemned Musharraf’s human rights abuses in Baluchistan, I support all the people of Pakistan who are struggling against dictatorship and for democracy.
"It is shameful that the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, is entertaining Musharraf at Downing Street on Monday. He is siding with a dictator against the people of Pakistan.
"Musharraf is guilty of crimes against humanity, including the indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas in Baluchistan, using weaponry supplied by Britain and the US.
"Pakistani human rights groups say his regime practices detention without trial, torture and extra-judicial killings.
“Musharraf is a criminal. He should be arrested by the UK authorities and put on trial in The Hague,” said Mr Tatchell.
^I guess the British Government were giving Musharraf a taste of what it would have been like in Benazir bhutto's position parading in public without any security.
^I guess the British Government were giving Musharraf a taste of what it would have been like in Benazir bhutto's position parading in public without any security.
In doing that they could've easily missed a militant slip as well, which would've been a disaster for themselves. Is Mushy going to pull their legs for that? Lets see.
As much as i disagree with Musharraf's acts and policies, i do not think it was appropriate to wait that long and let the protestor dance in front his car like that. There are better ways to get the message across. The security should have been prompt to escort him away.
Alhamdulilallah. God Bless Peter Tatchell. Pakistan is one of the worst human right abusers in the world - be it against non-Muslims, children, or women.
Only the great President Musharaf has done something to help eradicate these abuses that have taken place in Pakistan for decades.
Alhamdulilallah. God Bless Peter Tatchell. Pakistan is one of the worst human right abusers in the world - be it against non-Muslims, children, or women.
Only the great President Musharaf has done something to help eradicate these abuses that have taken place in Pakistan for decades.
Not really! Musharraf has actually only made things worse for the citizens of Pakistan. He was the one who arrested lawyers, civil right activists, and countless civilians. He is also the mirror of General Zia who openly tortured newspaper workers for speaking against his atrocities. I really don't see any difference in their behavior as the situation stands currently.
When Musharraf came to power, he was a glimpse of hope, now he's the very threat to Pakistan's survival as a civil nation.
Alhamdulilallah. God Bless Peter Tatchell. Pakistan is one of the worst human right abusers in the world - be it against non-Muslims, children, or women.
Only the great President Musharaf has done something to help eradicate these abuses that have taken place in Pakistan for decades.
Pakistan certainly has been one of the worst human right abusers, especially in the last year as judiciary was abused, judges and lawyers thrown in jail, Karachi massacre in May, Journalists jailed and media curtailed, innocent people thrown in jail just for opposing Mush.
Can't agree more with you, under Mush Paksitan's human rights record has been the worst.
Pakistan certainly has been one of the worst human right abusers, especially in the last year as judiciary was abused, judges and lawyers thrown in jail, Karachi massacre in May, Journalists jailed and media curtailed, innocent people thrown in jail just for opposing Mush.
Can't agree more with you, under Mush Paksitan's human rights record has been the worst.
Let's ask the Ahmadis, Christians, hindus, women rights followers what period they think was the worst. :)
Alhamdulilallah. God Bless Peter Tatchell. Pakistan is one of the worst human right abusers in the world - be it against non-Muslims, children, or women.
Only the great President Musharaf has done something to help eradicate these abuses that have taken place in Pakistan for decades.
Yes, indeed. He has done a lot. Locking people up w/o trial, torture, murder and making people disappear are some of the things he has been doing. BTW, state sanction disappearances started under Mushrraf.
Yes, indeed. He has done a lot. Locking people up w/o trial, torture, murder and making people disappear are some of things he has been doing. BTW, state sanction disappearances started under Mushrraf.
I disagree with the above. What about, Ahmadis, Christians, Hindus, women rights followers - what period they think was the worst? Pakistanis have treated these communities the worst. May god give these Pakistanis respect in Pakistan rather than being treated like state enemies. Ameen.
Alhamdulilallah. God Bless Peter Tatchell. Pakistan is one of the worst human right abusers in the world - be it against non-Muslims, children, or women.
Only the great President Musharaf has done something to help eradicate these abuses that have taken place in Pakistan for decades.
You used to praise Benazir Bhutto (late) so much like you're doing for Mush.