Kathmandu, 4 November 2007.  The South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE) has condemned General Masharraf's declaration of state of emergency and suspension of the constitution.  In a statement SAAPE says that "Democracy cannot be unheld by suspending all democratic rights" and that 'this unconstitutional step will exacerbate the already existing poverty and marginalisation of the Pakistani People". It calls for the restoration of democracy and protection and promotion of human rights in Pakistan.  It also urges the international community to take action to restore the democratic process and human rights.  See statement