Benazir Bhutto
Prime Minister
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Prime Minister Secretariat
Islamabad, PAKISTAN
Dear Prime Minister Bhutto:
We are shocked and deeply saddened by the brutal murder of Iqbal Masih.
Iqbal embodied the best in Pakistani youth and was an inspiration to all of us. He was a shining beacon of hope for a better life for all of the children in our world. His great courage and leadership at twelve years of age impressed and moved millions of people here in America and around the world to press for action against the enslavement and commercial exploitation of children everywhere.
Iqbal had accomplished much in his short life. The children of Pakistan have lost one of their most able and effective advocates. And your whole nation has lost someone who would have contributed greatly to the country in the future.
We want you to know that we honor Iqbal's life and deeds and will not let his cause be forgotten or his work be in vain. We are even more firmly committed to continuing his efforts to end child slavery in the carpet industry and wherever else it is exposed.
We stand ready to work with you to protect Pakistan's children so they can grow up to contribute to Pakistani society and economy as adults. It is tragic that so many of your youth see their ablities, and even their lives, used up by exploitive employers before their talents and ability to contribute to Pakistan's further growth are fully developed.
We urge that every effort be made to find the persons involved in the murder of Iqbal and bring them to justice for this outrageous crime. A prompt resolution of the case will send an important message to Pakistani society about the importance you place on justice, Pakistani children, and your country's future.
Sincerely,
Tom Harkin, U.S. Senator
George E. Brown, Jr., Member of Congress
Bernie Sanders, Member of Congress
Lane Evans, Member of Congress
Frank Wolf, Member of Congress
William Clay, Member of Congress
Joseph Moakley, Member of Congress
Luis Gutlerrez, Member of Congress
Barney Frank, Member of Congress
Sandy Levin, Member of Congress
Patricia Schroeder, Member of Congress
Neil Abercrombie, Member of Congress
Robert Underwood, Member of Congress
Sanford Bishop, Member of Congress
Frank Pallone, Member of Congress
Sherrod Brown, Member of Congress
Esteban Edward Torres, Member of Congress
Gerry Studds, Member of Congress
Jose' Serrano, Member of Congress
Peter Visclosky, Member of Congress
Lucille Roybal-Allard, Member of Congress
Byron Dorgan, U.S. Senator
Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senator
Edward Kennedy, U.S. Senator
Paul Simon, U.S. Senator
Larry Pressler, U.S. Senator
Dale Bumpers, U.S. Senator
John D. Rockefeller, U.S. Senator
Christopher Dodd, U.S. Senator
Harris Fawell, Member of Congress
Mike Ward, Member of Congress
Ronald Dellums, Member of Congress
Gary Ackerman, Member of Congress
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