STATEMENT
14 November 2007
JOIN GLOBAL CONDEMNATION OF ATTACKS ON
LAWYERS, JUDGES AND ACTIVISTS IN PAKISTAN
and
CALL FOR END TO MARTIAL RULE,
END TO SUPPORT OF US “WAR AGAINST TERROR”
As an international group of human rights lawyers from countries especially where exploitation is most severe, human rights violations are most widespread and the peoples’ struggles are most intense, the International Association of People’s Lawyers strongly condemns the human rights violations in Pakistan and further asks for a stop to its support of the US “war against terror.” General Pervez Musharraf, a key ally of the US, has unjustifiably imposed a state of emergency to secure his hold on power by preempting the judicial resolution on the legitimacy of his positions.
The IAPL expresses its concern on the suspension of the Pakistani Constitution, the sacking of the Supreme Court and the blatant curtailment of basic freedoms. Trial by military tribunals of political actions has been authorized. Judicial checks on arbitrary exercise of executive powers have been abolished. Thousands of critics are in prison or house arrest without charges or under unfounded terrorism charges including the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, members of the Pakistani Human Rights Commission, the Supreme Court Chief Justice and many other judges. An arrest warrant for UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders has been issued and a key opposition figure was earlier put to house arrests even while many have disappeared. We condemn this systematic persecution of political activists that participate in peaceful protests.
All these violate international norms like the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Right and the 1985 United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary. These are totally incompatible with Pakistan’s commitments as a member of the UN Human Rights Council. Most odiously, the world has seen how Pakistani security forces have humiliated, beaten and rounded up scores of members of the bar and bench, some even reportedly tortured and inhumanely treated. These are against international law on the protection of members of the legal profession under the 1990 Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers and the 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. We denounce the brazen disregard for the rule of law, the open disrespect for lawyers and judges, and contempt for the independence of the judiciary. The IAPL stands in solidarity with the Pakistani lawyers and judges. The IAPL shall help our Pakistani colleagues consolidate themselves and further organize.
The IAPL equally calls for a stop to General Musharaf’s direct collaboration with the US in its “war of terror” which has unleashed the most anti-democratic laws, policies and programs worldwide. The IAPL calls on the international legal community to press the Pakistani government to respect human rights, adhere to its international commitments, immediately and unconditionally put an end to martial rule and the arbitrary persecution of political activists, release all detained political activists and lawyers immediately, surface the disappeared, guarantee the independence of the judiciary, and ensure democratic elections. We further ask that international recognition and support be suspended until the Pakistani people are freed from this tyranny. We support the democratic struggles of the people of Pakistan for liberation against this repressive regime and the stranglehold of the US government that props it up. #
14 November 2007, Manila, Philippines
Reference:
Edre U. Olalia
IAPL President
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