Mr. President. I wish to bring attention to the appalling human lights abuses against women in Pakistan and to express my dismay with the recent comments of President Pervez Musharraf that rape in Pakistan has become an opportunity for women of his country to make money and emigrate. Victims of rape and domestic violence in Pakistan and around the world are offended by these irresponsible remarks. On September 13 President Musharraf stated the following in an interview with the Washington Post: "You must understand the environment in Pakistan . . . This has become a moneymaking concern. A lot of people say if you want to go abroad and get a visa to Canada for citizenship and be a millionaire. get yourself raped." President Musharraf subsequently denied making these remarks. but the paper posted an audio link of the interview on its website. confirming that he had in fact been accurately quoted. These comments are completely unacceptable. They are especially so considering the fact that rape and other acts of violence against women in Pakistan are a longstanding problem.
Identified stereotypes
President Musharraf's comments suggest that Pakistani women are using rape as a means to emigrate and make money.