Wednesday 07 November 2007

The Law Society, the Bar Council and the Association of Muslim Lawyers (AML) have today voiced their concerns about the treatment of lawyers in Pakistan. The state of emergency declared by General Musharraf, and the dismissal of Chief Justice Chaudhry, has prompted international concern and condemnation of events within the country.

The suspension of the rule of law comes in the run-up to the scheduled elections, which are due to take place in January 2008. Demonstrations by lawyers within Pakistan over the last two days in support of the rule of law have been repressed by the police.

Andrew Holroyd, president of the Law Society, said:

'Events in Pakistan must be of concern to everyone who supports the rule of law, and they underline once again that the rule of law is nothing without lawyers. I can think of no starker demonstration of this commitment to the law than the extraordinary courage, fortitude and bravery of the lawyers we see in Pakistan. They have rightly demonstrated against the government measures. The suspension of the Constitution, the denial of fundamental rights and repeated attacks on the judiciary removes any semblance of a just and civilised society. I have written to president Pervez Musharraf on behalf of the Law Society, to urge him to re-instate the Constitution, lift all restrictions on the judiciary, to release those lawyers held in detention and allow lawyers to exercise their freedom of expression and assembly.'

Commenting on the sacking and arrest of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, chairman of the Bar Geoffrey Vos QC, said:

'The sacking and arrest of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry is especially reprehensible, and I note with concern his message to lawyers yesterday. I take him at his word when he says that the Supreme Court followed the constitution and the law in making all its decisions about the forthcoming elections, and that the constitution has been 'ripped to shreds'. I have set out my concerns in a letter sent to the Pakistan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and await an urgent response.'

Ifath Nawaz, Chair of the Association of Muslim Lawyers, said:

'The AML continue to be deeply concerned by the appalling events unfolding in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan since the Declaration of emergency and the suspension of the constitution. It has not gone unnoticed that since this declaration was issued Courts, Judges and Lawyers in particular have been targeted. Courts of Law able to uphold due process, an independent judiciary and the ability of lawyers to conduct their work without fear, favour and prejudice remains one of the cornerstones of any free and civilised society. We strongly urge the government of Pakistan to end emergency rule and call on the government to respect judicial processes, reinstate the judiciary, adhere to the rule of law and return to governance in accordance with the constitution.'

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Law Society president Andrew Holroyd has written to Pakistan's president; Pakistan's Minister for the Interior; and Pakistan's Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights.
Read the letters

For more information please call the Law Society Press Office on 0207 320 5902, or the Bar Council Press Office on 0207 222 2525.