(PARIS) - An international rights group on Monday accused the regime of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf of serious violations in the the run-up to elections next month and urged the European Union to call him to account.

As Musharraf launched a four-nation European tour in Brussels, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) said the European Union "as Pakistan's main trading partner", should ask him to ensure a free and fair vote.

"Only strong democratic institutions and strict respect of human rights can serve as a solid basis to fight against any kind of extremism and other forms of religious fanatism," the group said in a statement.

"However the government continues to violate even the most basic rights," the FIDH charged, accusing Pakistani police of attacking peaceful protestors and arresting civil rights activists during a demonstration last week.

It also charged that lawyers protesting for judicial independence were "daily victims of harsh repression and intimidation."

The FIDH asked the EU to demand that Pakistan restore the independence of the judiciary, which was purged during a state of emergency imposed by Musharraf in November, and immediately release all jailed political and rights activists, lawyers and judges.

The FIDH also demanded that an international commission investigate the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, and condemned the arrest of hundreds of political activists in its wake.

Pakistan is in a political crisis exacerbated by Bhutto's assassination last month, which sparked violence and led to the general election being postponed.

Speaking in Brussels on Monday, Musharraf said he was determined the country would hold "free, fair and transparent elections, and peaceful elections".

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