Thank you, Mr. Chair.
We have had several reports about what's taking place in Pakistan, by groups ranging from Amnesty International to Human Rights Watch to other human rights organizations, that are deeply troubling—everything from murder to torture of political prisoners and political activists, both in Gilgit-Baltistan and also in the Baluchi area. There are about 40 arrests of leaders this year that we know of. We have deeply troubling issues of women's and girls' rights constantly being violated, cases in which there is rape, domestic violence, and forced marriages.
We have discriminatory laws and violence against religious minorities as well taking place in Pakistan. Some reports talk about corruption being widespread within the government, and about the police force and the government making few attempts to combat the problems of rape, domestic violence, and sexual harassment. Abuse against women remains a serious problem. Honour crimes and discriminatory legislation affect women and religious minorities respectively. Religious freedom violations and inter-sectarian religious conflict continue, with several bombings, both the Ahmadiyyan community and the Christian community being attacked in Pakistan.
Just recently, there was WikiLeaks talk also about the proliferation of nuclear weapons taking place in Pakistan, with the west being very much concerned about those weapons getting into terrorist hands.
I know that you and members of the European Parliament have been very much concerned about the human rights situation in Pakistan. You are the chair of the Friends of Gilgit-Baltistan. I believe the European Parliament—and maybe you could speak further on this—has passed a resolution talking about the human rights violations experience of being denied basic rights suffered by people in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan, including incredibly high rates of illiteracy, poverty, local officials being jailed, and lack of basic democracy and self-governance.
Would you please elaborate on what the European Parliament has done in terms of that resolution of May 24, 2007? And also, what has been the reaction of the Pakistan government, and what further action could the European Parliament and we as the Canadian Parliament take to help the situation in Gilgit-Baltistan?