The Hindu : National : Bar Association of India backs Pakistan lawyers

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Saturday, Nov 17, 2007
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Bar Association of India backs Pakistan lawyers

Legal Correspondent

Detention of judges, suspension of Constitution deplored

New Delhi: The Bar Association of India (BAI) has expressed its solidarity with the lawyers of Pakistan and deplored the suspension of the Constitution in that country; in particular it condemned the arrest and detention of lawyers and judges.

A special meeting of the BAI, presided over by its president Fali S Nariman, held on Thursday said, “The assault on and the treatment of Pakistan’s judges and lawyers by the establishment bodes ill for the revival of the prospect of democracy and rule of law: the friendly and peaceful people of Pakistan richly deserve a re-establishment of all democratic institutions and revival of democratic norms.”

“Reinstate judges”

By a series of resolutions, the BAI urged the Pakistan President and those in charge of the destinies of the people of Pakistan: to immediately cancel the suspension of the Constitution and restore the authority of the superior courts as constituted prior to November 3, 2007; to respect judicial processes and restore judicial independence, by reinstating the judges of the Supreme Court and of other superior courts who had been summarily dismissed, and to stop the torture and illegal treatment of those under preventive detention; to respect the rule of law and human rights and immediately release all political detainees, and to restore to judges and lawyers under house arrest their personal liberty; to allow free, fair and transparent elections to be held as scheduled within 60 days of November 15 when Parliament completes its five-year term or within 90 days from the date when Parliament is dissolved — with full participation of all political parties and leaders, including those in exile.

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