Amnesty: Rule of law should honor Bhutto

NEW YORK, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Amnesty International called on Pakistan to honor the legacy of slain leader Benazir Bhutto with full accountability and by embracing the rule of law.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Bhutto was assassinated Dec. 27, 2007, in Rawalpindi as she led a rally for her opposition Pakistan People's Party ahead of a general election where she was the leading candidate.

The first anniversary of the assassination "marks a year of failure by Pakistan's leaders to investigate and bring to justice those responsible for this and other political and civilian killings," Amnesty said.

The statement noted Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Bhutto's widower, entered office on pledges of sweeping reform in the wake of the failed policies of President Pervez Musharraf but has "done little" by way of formal action.

Amnesty called on the Pakistani government to conduct transparent investigations into the Bhutto and other political assassinations, open its prison system and bring intelligence services under proper control.

"In 2009 the Pakistani government and its international supporters need to focus on strengthening the rule of law and reinforcing an independent judiciary, (and) establishing accountability for the military and intelligence agencies," the statement said.