ROME, DEC. 13, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Dominican leaders are encouraging the order's religious to stand in solidarity with those suffering in Pakistan; the country has been in crisis since President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency in early November.
In a statement released Nov. 25 , Dominican Father Carlos Azpiroz Costa, master of the order, and Dominican Sister María Fabiola Velásquez Maya, international coordinator, the religious leaders urged Dominicans working in countries whose governments could influence Pakistan to speak up on behalf of the suffering nation.
"The crisis in Pakistan exists because the president of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf, declared a state of emergency on Nov. 3," the Dominicans wrote. "As a result, the constitution of Pakistan is suspended, the citizens of Pakistan are deprived of their basic human rights, dozens of Supreme Court and High Courts judges and chief justices are under house arrest, and people do not have access to local independent television channels or to international news channels.
"Hundreds of journalists, lawyers, and key political leaders are either under house arrest or in jail. The Christian community feels very insecure and threatened. The bishops and major superiors of religious in Pakistan are extremely alarmed about the deteriorating situation in the country."
Days after the statement was released, Musharraf promised to lift emergency rule Dec. 15. Today were announced his plans to make changes to the Constitution before Saturday to ensure that his presidency wouldn't be ruled illegal.
The Dominicans also urged the Pakistani government to "guarantee full civil rights for all, free from jails all political leaders, journalists, lawyers and also all judges and their families who are under house arrest. Give the people of Pakistan free access to the national and international media."
"A return to constitutional democracy will improve the image and position of Pakistan around the world," the religious affirmed.
The leaders encouraged all Dominicans throughout the world to pray for the people of Pakistan and their religious brothers and sisters ministering in that country.
They added, "Dominicans, in countries whose governments may be able to influence the government of Pakistan, we ask you to urge your governments to directly contact General Pervez Musharraf, president of Pakistan, insisting on a return to constitutional democracy in Pakistan, that basic human rights are assured, that the judiciary is restored, and that people are not deprived of access to media whether local or international."
The leaders concluded recalling the example of the order's founder, St. Dominic, "who wept for the suffering," and St. Catherine, "who influenced the civil leaders of her day." They affirmed, "As people of faith, we find the consequences of the current state of emergency and the suspension of the constitution unacceptable."
