PAKISTAN jails 500 protesters; Constitution 'temporarily suspended'; elections delayed

[Bluebear]

But this could never happen in the USA. Right?

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ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Police and soldiers emboldened by state of emergency powers swept up hundreds of activists and opposition members on Sunday, dragged away protesters shouting "Shame on you!", and turned government buildings into barbed-wire compounds.

Gen. Pervez Musharraf's government said parliamentary elections could be delayed up to a year as it tries to stamp out a growing Islamic militant threat — effectively linking two of the greatest concerns of Pakistan's biggest international donors: the United States and Britain...

Around 200 police with assault rifles and sticks stormed the rights commission's office in the eastern city of Lahore, breaking up a meeting and arresting about 50 members, said Mehbood Ahmed Khan, legal officer for the activists.

"They dragged us out, including the women," he said from the police station. "It's inhuman, undemocratic and a violation of human rights to enter a room and arrest people gathering peacefully there."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071104/ap_on_re_as/pakistan;_ylt=AgdFBs525lhADfG7_DjF66ys0NUE

[Yael]

1. This is just a trial balloon. Nothing to see here, folks.

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

:hi:

[Bluebear]

2. I will wager Cheney is FURIOUSLY taking notes.

[The Straight Story]

3. But if Chavez did this it would be good right?

:rofl: :hide:

Sorry, couldn't help myself!

[malaise]

4. Lots of video here

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7077727.stm

[ladjf]

5. Hmm.This sounds like a preview of what might happen here in

2008. Who is there who could and would stop them?