Canadian lawyers support Pakistan lawyers on the Long March: MWC News

Pakistan: Lawyers Rights Watch Canada (LRWC) applauds the courageous integrity of Pakistan lawyers on the Long March. LRWC supports Pakistan lawyers' advocacy to restore the judiciary and the Constitution and their opposition to state lawlessness.

June 12, 2008: LRWC joins lawyers and others taking part in the Long March of Lawyers in calling for:

1. The reinstatement of all judges removed from office by the Provisional Constitution Order No. 1 of 2007, November 3 2007 in accordance with the Murree Declaration; and

2. The rescission of all laws, including amendments to the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (Constitution), purporting to come into force under authority of the Proclamation of Emergency Declaration of November 3, 2007, the Provisional Constitutional Order No. 1 of 2007 and the Oath of Offices (Judges) Order, 2007

3. Withdrawal of charges laid after November 3/07 against lawyers and others for protesting the imposition of martial law including charges of high treason, sabotage, destroying public property and maintenance of public order.

4. Strict adherence by Pakistan officials to laws validly in force prior to November 3, 2007 and to applicable international standards protecting the independence of lawyers and judges including those embodied in the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers[1]and the Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary.[2]

The government of Pakistan government must take all measures necessary to protect the safety of all people participating in the March and to protect the rights and duties of the lawyers to engage in public advocacy.

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