GWOT v. Human Rights

What fascinates me so much about the developing situation in Pakistan is that it is both a human rights issue and a security issue. With General Pervez Musharraf basically declaring Marshall Law, and now arresting approximately 500 people from the opposition party, we'll see where the Bush administration's priorities lie.

So far, Bush has shown that security issues trump democracy in Pakistan. Musharraf has been an ally (I think this is debatable actually) in the so-called Global War on Terror and has claimed that military rule there is required to prevent Islamic militants from taking over the government (a nuclear government). Because of this his military rule has been tolerated by the Bush White House. Granted, at times the administration has pushed for changes to put a more democratic face on Musharraf's rule, but in reality is has been a military dictatorship the whole time.

Now that Musharraf has called for emergency powers, Bush can't pretend that democracy is evolving there. Musharraf's claims that democracy would lead to a militant Islamic government have been largely debunked; their popularity is far lower than Musharraf claims. So there should be no reason why Bush can't require that the emergency decree is withdrawn. We have been providing significant funding for the Pakistani military since 9/11, and we can threaten to end the support if Musharraf doesn't relinquish power and go forward with elections.

Something makes me think though that Bush will have no choice but to go along, and that is a serious mistake. Musharraf will say he is doing it because of Islamic militants, and even though the threat is inflated, the White House will likely accept the explanation for fear of losing an ally. We have a long history of sacrificing our ideals to support regimes that support us. We can't let that happen any longer. If we truly support democracy (and Bush has said that when he leaves the White House he may want to start a foundation that promotes the growth of democracy), then we must force even our friends in the GWOT to embrace it as well.