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 Jahngir
Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan
Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan