Appeal to lawyers everywhere

An appeal from Asma Jahangir to lawyers everywhere [Asma Jahangir is the chair of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan]:

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.