Letter from the Sindh High Court Bar Association
BADC RESOLUTION CONDEMNS ABOLISHMENT OF PAKISTAN'S SUPREME COURT AND THE RULE OF LAW
On November 6, 2007, the BADC hand-delivered to US Secretary of State Condaleezza Rice a “Resolution of The Bar Association of the District of Columbia Regarding the Suspension of the Constitution, the Closing of the Judiciary, and the Imprisonment of Lawyers in Pakistan.” The resolution was forwarded to many elected leaders and released to the news agencies. Expressions of support were sent to Chief Justice Ifitikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, the ousted Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In concert with the ABA President William Neukom's call to action, the BADC board responded with serious dispatch and stands ready to support the Pakistani lawyers in their fight to preserve an independent judiciary and the rule of law.
The corresponding letter stated:
Founded in 1871, the Bar Association of the District of Columbia is one of the oldest legal organizations in the United States of America and proud to be deeply rooted to this Nation’s Capitol, the cornerstone of democracy. The Bar Association of the District of Columbia condemns the acts of President Musharraf of Pakistan. The suspension of the national constitution, the round up of Pakistani lawyers and judges, and the crushing and silencing of those who protest in support of the independence of the bar and judiciary is antithetical to a lawful society and a threat to the rule of law.
The Bar Association of the District of Columbia stands with millions in solidarity with the courage and struggle of our Pakistani colleagues. We urge President Musharraf to free all arrested lawyers and reinstate Pakistan’s Supreme Court. The Bar Association of the District of Columbia hereby unanimously adopts the attached resolution, “Resolution of The Bar Association of the District of Columbia Condemning the Suspension of the Constitution, the Closing of the Judiciary, and the Imprisonment of Lawyers in Pakistan.” This resolution is being circulated worldwide in an attempt to support our colleagues in Pakistan.
The Bar Association of the District of Columbia calls on our government leaders to use every peaceful, legal means to persuade President Musharraf to restore justice to the people of Pakistan.
RESOLUTION OF
THE BAR ASSOCIATION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
CONDEMNING
THE SUSPENSION OF THE CONSTITUTION,
THE CLOSING OF THE JUDICIARY,
AND
THE IMPRISONMENT OF LAWYERS
IN PAKISTAN
NOVEMBER 6, 2007
WHEREAS, the Bar Association of the District of Columbia was established in 1871 in the Nation's Capitol and is one of the oldest bar associations in the United States of America;
WHEREAS, the Bar Association of the District of Columbia serves its members, promotes justice and the preservation of law, and addresses challenges facing the legal profession;
WHEREAS, the principle that a judiciary be independent is essential to the fair and impartial administration of justice and the operation of a free and open government;
WHEREAS, the struggle for a constitutional government is also a struggle for honest and fair laws which are applied equally by independent and impartial courts;
WHEREAS, there is no liberty if the power of judging is not separated from the legislative and executive powers; and
WHEREAS, there is no justice if lawyers are unable to represent their clients without fear of imprisonment or reprisal.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BAR ASSOCIATION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HEREBY:
- Denounces the suspension of the Pakistan Constitution by the current Pakistani government;
- Denounces the closing of the Pakistani courts and judiciary system by the current Pakistani government;
- Denounces the brutality that is being directed to members of the bar of Pakistan;
- Denounces the imprisonment of a reported 3,000 lawyers in Pakistan; and
- Recognizes and commends the courage and conviction of the members of the Pakistani bar, the judiciary, and the public who are working to correct this grave injustice.