International Bar Association calls for support to Pakistani lawyers, judges
News International | November 11, 2007
International Bar Association (IBA) president Fernando Pombo has called upon the bars and law societies around the world to support the actions of Pakistani lawyers and judges.
In a statement issued on Friday, he added they could do so by lobbying their governments to pressurise the Pakistan authorities to restore the Constitution.
IBA is concerned that unless the Constitution is restored and properly applied, rule of law in Pakistan would continue to deteriorate. This would lead towards greater human rights abuse and further departure from the principles of democracy, he also said. Pombo added the judges and lawyers are protesting against declaration of emergency and promulgation of PCO in Pakistan.
IBA executive director Mark Ellis said fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution including the right to life, liberty and freedom of movement have been suspended while the powers of arrest have been extended. PCO provides complete immunity to President Gen Pervez Musharraf and his government and enables them to change the Constitution and adopt any orders or law they see fit to retain power, he added.
He also said the judges and lawyers have recognised that the government has negated the rule of law. We are deeply concerned that such protests have been met with mass arrests and allegations of ill treatment, he also added.
