NLADA Puts Forward Resolution in Support of the Lawyers of Pakistan for the Reinstatement of the Constitution

Resolution in Support of the Lawyers of Pakistan for the Reinstatement of the Constitution

WHEREAS, the National Legal Aid & Defender Association is a membership association dedicated to achieving equal justice through the rule of law; and

WHEREAS, the President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, has suspended constitutional protections and imposed an indefinite state of emergency within Pakistan; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Musharraf has ordered the removal of the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s Supreme Court and detained other members of the Court; and

WHEREAS, in an effort to bring an end to Mr. Musharraf’s suspension of democratic governance, the legal community of Pakistan engaged in peaceful protest; and

WHEREAS, while protesting, Pakistan’s lawyers were harassed, beaten, and imprisoned in an effort to break their spirit and silence them; and

WHEREAS, Pakistan’s lawyers acted with courage, dedication, and integrity in order to force the government to reinstate the rule of law and constitutional protections; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the National Legal Aid & Defender Association wishes to recognize the heroism of our brothers and sisters in Pakistan and support their struggle to bring the rule of law back to Pakistan,

NOW, IT IS THEREFORE

RESOLVED, that the National Legal Aid & Defender Association expresses its admiration and support for the Pakistani legal community in its fight for justice and democracy; and it is further

RESOLVED, that the National Legal Aid & Defender Association condemns the actions of President Pervez Musharraf and urges him to lift Pakistan’s state of emergency and restore constitutional and democratic rule of law on behalf of the people of Pakistan.