|
A demonstrator holds a placard as she protests against the visit of Pervez Musharraf in central London. -- REUTERS
|
LONDON - SOME 40 protestors gathered outside Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Downing Street residence on Saturday, to condemn alleged human rights abuses by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who is visiting Britain.
The demonstration, organised by human rights group Amnesty International, came ahead of a meeting between the two leaders at Downing Street Monday as part of the British leg of Mr Musharraf's European tour.
His visit, which started on Friday, has so far been plagued by protests.
Some of those demonstrating Saturday brandished placards, while others wore masks featuring Mr Musharraf's face and held up the slogan: 'A little bit of human rights abuse never hurt me.'
Lawyer Sibghat Kadri, one of those taking part, said: 'It is shameful of the British government that they are welcoming Mr Musharraf...without rule of law you cannot have a fair election.'
In a speech to a London think-tank on Friday, Mr Musharraf said his country's elections, being held on February 18, would be 'free, fair, transparent and peaceful'.
The poll was delayed after the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in December. -- AFP
|
