NEWS RELEASE
INTERNATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION
the global voice of the legal profession
[For Immediate Release: Monday, 26 November 2007]
International Bar Association condemns targeting of lawyers by Pakistan authorities
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The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) today condemned the continuing arrest and detention of lawyers in Pakistan, despite the Government’s claims that it was easing emergency rule.
‘It was claimed that the deposed Chief Justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, had been released from house arrest,’ said Dr Phillip Tahmindjis, IBA Programme Lawyer. ‘However, when lawyers went to see him at his home last Tuesday they were prevented by the police from doing so and one of them, Athar Minallah, was later arrested without charge.’
Many lawyers remain in custody in Pakistan, including the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Aitzaz Ahsan.
‘It appears to be more than a mere coincidence that Mr Minallah and Mr Ahsan have both been critical of the government,’ Dr Tahmindjis added. ‘Mr Ahsan was one of the Chief Justice’s defence counsel.’
The IBAHRI is monitoring the situation to ascertain whether lawyers who supported the Chief Justice in their professional capacity are being particularly targeted.
For further information/expanded commentary, please contact:
Romana St Matthew - Daniel
Press Office
International Bar Association
10th Floor
1 Stephen Street
London W1T 1AT
United Kingdom
Direct Line: +44 (0)20 7691 6837
Switchboard: + 44 (0)20 7691 6868
Fax: + 44 (0)20 7691 6544
E-mail: romana.daniel@int-bar.org
Website: www.ibanet.org
Related Recommended Reading:
Click here to download the executive summary of the IBAHRI report: The struggle to maintain an independent judiciary: a report on the attempt to remove the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
Click here to download the full IBAHRI report: The struggle to maintain an independent judiciary: a report on the attempt to remove the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
About the International Bar Association
- the global voice of the legal profession
The International Bar Association (IBA), established in 1947, is the world's leading organisation of international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. The IBA influences the development of international law reform and shapes the future of the legal profession throughout the world. It has a membership of 30,000 individual lawyers and more than 195 bar associations and law societies spanning all continents.
Grouped into two divisions – the Legal Practice Division and the Public and Professional Interest Division – the IBA covers all practice areas and professional interests, providing members with access to leading experts and up-to-date information. Through the various committees of the divisions, the IBA enables an interchange of information and views as to laws, practices and professional responsibilities relating to the practice of law around the globe. Additionally, the IBA’s high-quality publications and world-class conferences provide unrivalled professional development and network-building opportunities for international legal practitioners and professional associates.
The IBA’s Bar Issues Commission provides an invaluable forum for the IBA’s member bar associations and law societies to discuss all matters relating to law at an international level.
The IBA's Human Rights Institute promotes, protects and enforces human rights under a just rule of law, and works to preserve the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession worldwide.
Other institutions established by the IBA include the Southern Africa Litigation Centre and the International Legal Assistance Consortium.
Contact information:
International Bar Association
10th Floor
1 Stephen Street
London W1T 1AT
United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)20 7691 6868
fax: +44 (0)20 7691 6544
website: www.ibanet.org
About the Human Rights Institute
In 1995, the International Bar Association (IBA) established the Human Rights Institute (HRI) under the Honorary Presidency of Nelson Mandela. The HRI is now a leading voice in the promotion of the rule of law worldwide.
The HRI works across the IBA, helping to promote, protect and enforce human rights under a just rule of law, and to preserve the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession worldwide.
The HRI:
undertakes fact-finding missions leading to long-term technical assistance
programmes;
develops capacity-building programmes to assist bar associations and law societies;
sends trial observers to monitor the extent to which trials adhere to
regional and international fair trial standards;
·organises human rights training for lawyers and judges;
·liaises closely with international and regional human rights organisations;
and
·produces newsletters and other publications.
Human Rights Institute
International Bar Association
10th Floor, 1 Stephen Street
London W1T 1AT, United Kingdom
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7691 6868
Fax: + 44 (0)20 7691 6544
E-mail: hri@int-bar.org
Website: www.ibanet.org
