While we were preparing for the changeover to our new currency, far away in Pakistan terror hit the streets. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was murdered, leading to an eruption of violence that shocked the world.

A suicide bombing on 27 December killed the charismatic opposition leader, and at least 20 other people during a rally, in the run up to the general elections that should have been held today. The murder has created a wave of chaos and an eruption of bloodshed in the Asian country.

Like her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto died for her political beliefs. Her father, a former Prime Minister himself, was killed back in 1979. Political analysts describe the Bhutto family as a Pakistani version of the Indian Nehru – Gandhi family, not only as political dynasties in their respective countries, but also for the numerous political assassinations that both families had to endure.

With at least 47 people killed in the aftermath of violence that erupted following the assassination of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party leader the elections have been postponed. The democratic process delay may lead to further instability in this Asian country that still lags behind when it comes to real democracy and freedom for the people.

“Growing poverty and unemployment make it clear that in the absence of democracy, the people’s needs cannot be met. I believe that unless the people of Pakistan are empowered through the ballot, extremists will continue to exploit the discontent to their advantage,” Benazir Bhutto had warned in an article published by Tribune Media Services, London.

This eruption follows the violence that occurred in another Asian country. In Myanmar, the military junta used violence on monks a few months ago, while more recently another outbreak of violent protests occurred in Kenya. The closeness of the results has led to riots between the police and anti-government protesters, leading to a street carnage.

While Pakistan was mourning the death of Bhutto, the African country succumbed to a wave of violence following the presidential election results. More than 300 people have been killed. The violent protests are threatening to wreck the country’s reputation as one of Africa’s most promising democracies, while it also hinders the country’s economic growth, described as one of Africa’s strongest economies.

The European Commission has shown satisfaction at the high turn out for the very close run, two-man presidential race. However, the European Union’s Electoral Observation Mission has reported concerns, which allege that irregularities may have conditioned the result.

Concerns about the impact on the country, on both a human level and an economic one, are starting to be voiced. While the presidential seat contenders, Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga, are accusing each other of instigating violence that may lead to genocide, the World Bank warned that the upsurge of hostility, apart from affecting Kenya, may also be damaging to neighbouring economies that depend on it as a business hub.

The political instability that is being witnessed by the whole world these days, is indirectly affecting, the whole world. Financial trading companies are putting the blaming these conflicts on the new record high oil prices. The $100 per barrel price may be affected by the ongoing violence in Nigeria, concern about political instability in Kenya and Pakistan, the oil inventory expectations and the cold weather that has affected the whole world.

The world cannot permit the increase of this political instability. I feel very concerned about the development of these situations. With all the blood that is being shed, global democracies should start taking concrete action.

It is important for the European Union to react and take action on such situations. We must not tolerate any violation of human rights and we must act on what we preach. Our unity is based on the respect of these fundamental human rights, and as members of the global community and one of the largest economic powers, we must unite in such situations. The time has come for the international community to invest in the future of human-kind and grant the rule of democracy to these people.

David Casa is a Nationalist MEP

[email protected]

www.davidcasa.eu