Human Rights Watch criticizes Musharraf

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- President Pervez Musharraf must reverse changes to Pakistan's constitution to restore real constitutional rule to the country, Human Rights Watch said Friday.

Musharraf has promised to end the state of emergency Saturday. He imposed the emergency and suspended the constitution Nov. 3.

"Musharraf's so-called return to constitutional rule provides legal cover to laws that muzzle the media and lawyers and gives the army a license to abuse," said Ali Dayan Hasan, South Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch. "A genuine restoration of Pakistan's constitution would require Musharraf to return to the constitution and judiciary that existed before Nov. 3."

During the emergency, Musharraf used executive orders to make changes to the constitution that would normally have required a two-thirds majority in parliament. He also changed the Army Act so civilians can be tried before secret military tribunals for a wide range of offenses.