NEW YORK, July 25: US Secretary of State Colin Powell should address violence against women and the government’s proposed changes to the constitution during his visit to Pakistan, the Human Rights Watch said in a letter to him on Thursday. Powell is due in Islamabad on Sunday.

“This is an enormous opportunity for Secretary Powell to push for accountability for women’s rights abuses and adherence to democratic principles,” said Lashawn R. Jefferson, executive director of the Women’s Rights Division of Human Rights Watch.

In the letter to Secretary Colin Powell, Human Rights Watch said Islamabad’s response to violence and discrimination against women had been inadequate. It called for repealing certain provisions of the Hudood ordinance.

In a reference to the Meerwala gangrape case, the Human Rights Watch said the behaviour of the police and the excessive authority of tribal councils need to be addressed. The HRW also asked Powell to advise President Pervez Musharraf against amending the constitution.

“Musharraf’s recently proposed amendments to the constitution would significantly strengthen the power of the presidency, formalize the army’s role in governance, and diminish the authority of elected representatives.

“The amendments would circumscribe freedom of association and the right of individuals to stand for elected office, limiting the opportunity for moderate voices representing the majority of Pakistani citizens to exercise political leadership,” the HRW said.