Lawyers across the U.S. call for
restoration of justice in Pakistan
In response to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's suspension of the national constitution, detention of members of the Supreme Court and arrest of thousands of lawyers earlier this month, the ABA urged its members, through rallies around the country, to stand united with the people of Pakistan.
Standing in front of several hundreds of lawyers attending the rally in Washington, D.C., ABA President William H. Neukom called for a restoration of rule of law: "Pakistan's lawyers refused to accept this breach. They dressed for work wearing dark suits and white shirts. They headed to court knowing that instead of meeting their clients, they would meet policemen with batons and tear gas. But Pakistan's lawyers went to court anyway because of their belief in the rule of law."
Continuing, Neukom stressed, "We are here because we, like our colleagues in Pakistan, will not let the justice system become a tool of dictatorship and tyranny."
As part of the rally, lawyers signed a petition urging Musharraf to restore the constitution, reinstate Pakistan's Supreme Court justices and free the Pakistani lawyers and civil leaders who have been wrongly jailed. The petition reiterated, "We, the lawyers of American, stand shoulder to shoulder with the brave lawyers and citizens of Pakistan as you strive to preserve the rule of law in your nation." Lawyers can show their support by signing an online petition here.
In addition to the Washington, D.C. rally, dozens of solidarity events took place across the nation, from California to New York. Earlier, the ABA issued a statement calling for all governments, bar associations and civil society organizations to "support the rule of law, by using every peaceful, legal means to persuade President Musharraf to restore justice to the people of Pakistan."
The association also wrote directly to Musharraf, expressing its grave concern. In his letter, ABA President Neukom wrote, "The ABA … respectfully urges you to restore judicial independence in Pakistan, to heed the rulings of the Supreme Court and other judicial authorities, and to leave lawyers and human rights advocates free to do their vital work in defense of the rule of law."
ABA members are encouraged to add their voice to the debate on the association's Web site here.
Show your support…
The ABA calls on President Pervez Musharraf to:
Restore the Constitution of Pakistan;
Reinstate Pakistan's Supreme Court justices; and,
Free those lawyers and civil leaders who have been wrongly jailed.
Sign the petition here.
