Appeal for support to lawyers and judges in Pakistan

I am fortunate to be under house arrest while my colleagues are suffering.
The Musharaf government has declared martial law to settle scores with
lawyers and judges. While the terrorists remain on the loose and continue to
occupy more space in Pakistan, senior lawyers are being tortured.

The civil society of Pakistan urges bar associations all over the world to
mobilize public opinion in favor of the judges and lawyers in Pakistan. A
large number of judges of superior courts are under arrest. Thousands of
lawyers are imprisoned, beaten and tortured.

In particular the cases of Muneer A Malik, Aitzaz Ahsan, Tariq Mahmood and
Ali Ahmed Kurd are serious. Muneer A Malik, the former President of the
Supreme Court Bar Association and leader of the lawyers' movement has been
shifted to the notorious Attack Fort. He is being tortured and is under the
custody of the military intelligence. Tariq Mahmood, former President of the
Supreme Court Bar Association, was imprisoned in Adiala jail. No one was
allowed to see him and it is reported that he has been shifted to an unknown
place. Mr. Ali Ahmed Kurd, former Vice Chair of the Pakistan Bar Council is
in the custody of military intelligence and being kept at an undisclosed
place. Mr. Aitzaz Ahsan, President of the Supreme Court Bar is being kept in
Adiayala jail in solitary confinement.

Representatives of bar associations should approach their governments to
pressure the government of Pakistan to release all lawyers and judges and
immediately provide access to Muneer A Malik, Tariq Mahmood, Ali Ahmed Kurd
and Aitzaz Ahsan. The bars are also urged to hold press conferences in their
country and express their solidarity with the lawyers of Pakistan who are
struggling to establish the rule of law.


Asma Jahangir ,law@aghs.brain.net.pk
Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan
Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.