PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Free Speech
Pakistan and New Zealand Must Hold Free and Fair Elections
Libertarianz Party leader Bernard Darnton today applauded the government's welcoming of Pakistan's suspension from the
Commonwealth.
"General Musharraf's disregard for democracy and the rule of law is flagrant. He is not fit to rule his country.
Libertarianz welcomes Pakistan's suspension from the Commonwealth and support the New Zealand government's positive
comments about the desirability of democracy and the rule of law in Pakistan. I hope that that will translate into
respect for democracy and the rule of law here in New Zealand."
"The New Zealand government's record in this area isn't good," continues Darnton. "In 2005 they flouted election laws by
stealing public money to buy propaganda. In 2006, they abandoned all constitutional norms and retrospectively changed
the law so that they wouldn't be called into the High Court to answer for that action. This year the government has
passed legislation allowing them to steal far more at the next election. Worst of all, the Clark regime is now trying to
ram through legislation that would ban me from pointing out that they are behaving like tyrants and telling people not
to vote for them."
Darnton called for New Zealand to hold free and fair elections as scheduled next year, to remove the requirement to
register with the state before speaking, and to lift the proposed restrictions on free political expression.
Prime Minister Helen Clark is currently in Uganda, picking up tips from other leaders of third-word pseudo-democracies.
ENDS