Tag Archives: Pakistan

IBAHRI concerned about the discrimination of Ahmadiyya lawyers in Pakistan

Sem categoria 10/08/2023 Leave a comment

10/08/23

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) is highly concerned about the recent news that lawyers belonging to the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan – a numeric minority community in the country – are being required to renounce their religion as a prerequisite to practice law. This is a flagrant violation of their right to freedom of religion or belief.

According to news reports, Ahmadi Muslim lawyers have also faced physical attacks in court on account of their faith. For example, on 27 April 2023, a 77-year-old Ahmadi Muslim Supreme Court advocate, Syed Ali Ahmad Tariq, was reportedly assaulted by other lawyers while practising in court. The lawyers allege that Mr Tariq violated Section 298 B of Pakistan’s Penal Code (Misuse of epithets, descriptions and titles, etc reserved for certain holy personages or places) for having signed an affidavit in court using his full name which includes the prefix ‘Syed’, as this ‘made him out to be a Muslim’. 

Mr Tariq has been detained and faces a potential custodial sentence of three years. Commenting on this attack in his judgment, the presiding Judge, Omar Sial J (High Court of Sindh Karachi) stated: ‘Not only an attempt was made to intimidate the court and interfere in the smooth administration of justice, but a lawyer… was physically abusive towards… one of the learned counsel for the applicant. […] This was simply unacceptable behaviour and conduct and must necessarily be condemned by the Bar Associations and Councils.’

IBAHRI Co-Chair and Immediate Past Secretary General of the Swedish Bar Association, Anne Ramberg Dr Jur hc, commented: ‘Pakistan must ensure that its laws and policies are in accordance with international standards without exceptions. Religious minority communities such as the Ahmadiyya must be granted all rights as per the Universal Declaration of Human Rights [UDHR] and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [ICCPR], including the right to freedom of religion or belief as per Article 18 and Article 27 respectively. In particular, the latter that grants extra protections for minority communities.’

In March 2023, the District Bar Association of Gujranwala announced that any applicant must positively assert that they are Muslim and denounce the teachings of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and its founder, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. A similar announcement was made by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council in May 2023. The requirement is contrary to international legal standards, and specifically the right to freedom of religion or belief, as affirmed in Articles 18 of both the UDHR and ICCPR. Pakistan ratified the ICCPR in 2010, and as such, is bound by its provisions.

[…]

https://www.ibanet.org/IBAHRI-concerned-about-the-discrimination-of-Ahmadiyya-lawyers-in-Pakistan

https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/bar-council-raises-concern-over-treatment-of-ahmadi-muslim-lawyers-in-pakistan.html

Bar Council of England, Wales raises concern over treatment of Ahmadi lawyers in Pakistan
Ruckus forces SHC judge to relist Ahmadi lawyer’s case

https://www.thefridaytimes.com/2023/05/16/advocate-salman-assaulted-in-court-for-representing-ahmadi-lawyer-arrested-under-section-298c/

https://thewire.in/communalism/pakistan-senior-ahmadiyya-lawyer-arrested-over-use-of-syed-in-name

Click to access Ahmadiyya-Muslim-Lawyers-Association.pdf

Pakistan: To Join Bar, Ahmadi Lawyers Are Asked to Deny Their Faith

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmadiyya

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmadisme (FRANCAIS)

Pakistan: Prominent lawyer shot dead in Pindigheb

Sem categoria 29/07/2023 Leave a comment

29/07/23

The legal fraternity of Pindigheb sub-district in Rawalpindi’s Attock district protested on a major artery of the city over the murder of a former general secretary of the local bar association on Friday.

Ali Qureshi, a former general secretary of the Bar Association Pindigheb, was shot dead by armed men while he was in his car along with his clerk at the Ghora Chowk.

According to lawyers, the attackers were waiting for the lawyer.

The lawyer died on the spot while the clerk was severely injured. He had been shifted to Rawalpindi in critical condition.

Meanwhile, lawyers and community members brought Qureshi’s body to College Chowk to register their protest.

Mudassir Naqvi, the president of the local bar association, led the protest that lasted for several hours and cause traffic congestion in surrounding areas.

The protesters agreed to postpone their protest for two days after Attock district police officer assured them that the police would ensure that those responsible for the murder were arrested.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2428390/prominent-lawyer-shot-dead-in-pindigheb

https://www.nation.com.pk/29-Jul-2023/advocate-killed-in-pindigheb

Pakistan: Six arrested for attacking lawyer, vandalising office

Sem categoria 25/07/2023 Leave a comment

25/07/23

Police arrested six men for their alleged involvement in attacking a lawyer and setting his car on fire in the Altaf Nagar area of Orangi Town.

According to the initial police report, the incident occurred when a group of unknown persons forcibly entered Advocate Ali Akhtar’s office and went on a rampage, vandalising the office and beating up the lawyer.

During the attack, the suspects also set fire to his car, leaving it completely engulfed in flames. Akhtar said he was in his office when the perpetrators barged in, ransacking the place and causing destruction.

Police claimed that the arrested men were also linked to other criminal activities, including kidnappings for ransom, robberies and rioting. Officials said the suspects had held Akhtar at gunpoint, and snatched his cash and mobile phone before abducting him. They demanded a ransom for his release.

Akhtar filed a complaint with the Manghopir police station, leading to the registration of a case against the perpetrators. The arrested suspects were identified as Kashan, Saad, Danish Alam, Raheel, Ali and Aziz.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1093884-six-arrested-for-attacking-lawyer-vandalising-office

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orangi_Town

UK: Baroness tells of ‘terrible texts’ from trapped Afghan women pleading for help

Sem categoria 25/06/2023 Leave a comment

25/06/23

Helena Kennedy evacuated more than 500 people from Afghanistan in 2021, but is still in contact with some of those she had to leave behind.

A leading human rights lawyer has told how she still receives “tragic, terrible text messages” from women hiding from the Taliban in Afghanistan, nearly two years after she managed to evacuate more than 500 people from the conflict-torn country.

Baroness Helena Kennedy KC organised the evacuation of 103 women who were on Taliban “kill lists” in September and October 2021, flying them and their families to safety.

A total of 508 people escaped on three flights the Scottish-born Labour peer arranged – but she told how she still gets pleas for help from some women who were unable to flee at that time.

Hitting out at the UK Government, she said the Tories’ “dog whistle politics” on immigration mean she can no longer bring people to safety in Britain.

Speaking to the PA news agency, she said: “It was possible then, then of course it wasn’t possible any more.

“I have still got women sending me the most tragic, terrible text messages and phoning me at all hours, saying ‘please help me, I am hiding in my basement, I didn’t get on your planes in 2021 because my mother was dying, I couldn’t leave at the time, but now they are after me’.

“But all I can say is ‘I’m sorry, they don’t provide visas to Britain from Afghanistan, you have to go to another country, Pakistan is the nearest, you have to get your kids across that border’.”

Baroness Kennedy described the evacuation she organised in 2021 as “one of the crazier things I have done in my life”, but also “one of the things I feel was absolutely the right thing to do”.

[…]

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/afghan-rishi-sunak-government-hazara-scottish-b2363684.html

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2327801/world

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/baroness-kennedy-rishi-sunak-government-scottish-taliban-b1089994.html

Afghan lawyers and judges are being persecuted by the Taliban. It threatens Afghan women, the justice system, and the rule of law.

https://www.jurist.org/news/2023/06/pakistan-must-stop-harassment-and-arbitrary-arrests-of-afghanistan-refugees-amnesty-international/

https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2325866/world

https://barreaubruxelles.be/component/k2/item/1088-communique-de-presse-celebration-de-l-acte-de-constitution-des-statuts-de-l-aisbl-du-barreau-afghan-en-exil-aiba (FRANCAIS)

Pakistan: Woman lawyer assassinated in Attock shooting

Sem categoria 23/06/2023 Leave a comment

23/06/23

A woman lawyer was gunned down by unknown suspects in Pindigheb tehsil of Attock district on Thursday.

The lawyer was reportedly returning home from the court when unidentified suspects in a black car started firing at her. The suspects fled the scene using the same vehicle.

Kubra Sheikh, member of Pindigheb Tehsil bar, suffered multiple bullet wounds. She later succumbed to her injuries while being shifted to hospital for medical aid.

A police team arrived at the crime scene and gathered forensic evidence. Police said the motive for the shooting and elements involved were not yet known. 

https://dunyanews.tv/en/Crime/734179-Female-lawyer-assassinated-by-unidentified-suspects-

Pakistan: Lawyers condemn attack on Latif Khosa’s house

Sem categoria 20/06/2023 Leave a comment

20/06/23

The legal fraternity on Monday strongly condemned the attack on prominent lawyer and former Punjab governor Sardar Latif Khan Khosa as well as the abduction of the lawyers emphasising the community to come out on roads for the sake of justice.

The lawyers spoke up in a “general house” organised by the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) at the Lahore High Court premises, where prominent lawyers, including Lahore Bar Association (LBA) President Rana Intizar Hassan also addressed.

Senior lawyer Aziz Karamat Bhandari who recently went missing and Advocate Khurram Latif Khosa, son of former Punjab governor Latif Khosa whose house was recently attacked, were present on the occasion.

Advocate Khurram Khosa said the incidents of firing on lawyers were unfortunate. “Where are the courts and the suo motus?” he questioned.

Another prominent lawyer Karamat Bhandari asked the House why he was abducted, terming his abduction an attack on the entire legal community. He urged the legal community to come out on the roads for the sake of justice and rule of law.

Meanwhile, the lawyers vowed to come up with a comprehensive strategy in coming weeks along with a demand to release their fellows belonging to legal fraternity on immediate basis.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1082422-lawyers-condemn-attack-on-latif-khosa-s-house

https://hapka.info/archive/20230618/307512/sardar-latif-khosa-blames-house-attack-on-those-who-didnt-like-his-speeches/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latif_Khosa

Pakistan: SCBA condemns firing at Latif Khosa’s house

Sem categoria 17/06/2023 Leave a comment

17/06/23

The Supreme Court Bar Asso­ciation (SCBA) Friday strong­ly condemned the firing at the residence of Sardar Abdul Latif Khan Khosa, an apex court law­yer, and demanded thorough investigation into the incident.

The association called upon the government, Inspector General of Police and the rel­evant quarters for a thorough investigation of the said inci­dent so as to arrest the culprits and that the perpetrators may be brought to justice; failing which the SCBAP will observe countrywide full day strike on June 19, 2023 (Monday).

In a statement issued by the asso­ciation, SCBA president Barris­ter Abid S Zuberi and secre­tary Muqtedir Akhtar Shabbir said that Latif Khosa, besides being an advocate of Supreme Court, is also a member of Bar, making this incident more concerning for SCBA. Barrister Siberia stated that Latif Khosa is one of the few remaining in­dependent and fearless voic­es, advocating for the cause of rule of law, civilian supremacy, independence of judiciary, and against civilian trials in mili­tary courts.

Such an attack on his residence sends a threaten­ing message to the legal com­munity against exercising their right to freedom of speech without fear of retribution. He further said that this incident clearly showcases the absolute anarchy prevalent in the coun­try where fundamental rights of the citizens are being vio­lated, judgments of the superi­or courts are ridiculed and dis­obeyed and the Constitution is repeatedly violated by failing to conduct elections in the time frame mandated by the Consti­tution and the orders of the Su­preme Court.

https://www.nation.com.pk/17-Jun-2023/scba-condemns-firing-at-latif-khosa-s-house

Pakistan: Lawyer in audio leaks commission case ‘goes missing’

Sem categoria 10/06/2023 Leave a comment

08/06/23

The Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan said that Riaz Hanif Rahi, a senior lawyer of the Supreme Court, has gone ‘missing’.

Rahi was the petitioner in the cases filed against the Supreme Court Review of Judgement Bill and the Audio Leaks Commission. He had also challenged General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s extension during the Imran Khan government.

“We express our deep concern and call for immediate action,” a SCBAP statement said on Thursday.

“The Association cannot turn a blind eye towards the disappearance of one of its members as it raises serious concerns about the safety and security of the lawyers who play a crucial role in safeguarding the fundamental rights of individuals, ensuring access to justice and upholding the principles of democracy.”

The statement also said that every citizen of the country is entitled to fundamental rights and no one is allowed to violate them.

“As such his disappearance amounts to a grave violation of fundamental and human rights,” the statement said.

The statement also called upon law enforcement agencies to locate Rahi and ensure his ‘immediate safe return’.

[…]

https://www.aajenglish.tv/news/30323881

https://www.brecorder.com/news/40246814/scba-demands-recovery-of-advocate-rahi

https://www.nation.com.pk/10-Jun-2023/ihc-summons-ssp-operations-in-petition-seeking-recovery-of-lawyer

Click to access EN_HRL_20230206_Pakistan_Murder-of-lawyers-Dil-Nawaz-Kundi-Latif-Afridi-and-Sheikh-Imra.pdf

Exiled Afghan Prosecutors in Pakistan Urge International Community to Help Them Resettle

Sem categoria 07/06/2023 Leave a comment

06/06/23

A considerable number of exiled Afghan prosecutors and lawmakers on Monday gathered in Islamabad and urged the international community to help them resettle because they have fought criminals and sacrificed the most to protect democracy and human rights values over the past two decades in Afghanistan.

On May 5, these exiled prosecutors, lawmakers and civil society activists peacefully protested in Afghanistan Hotel in the capital city of Islamabad and called on UNHCR, International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the international community to reconsider the dire situation and overwhelming uncertainty Afghan prosecutors are going through.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Pakistan has not yet initiated a common position regarding the legal status of the exiled Afghan prosecutor and lawmakers. Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan and Margaret Steroid in their reports have clearly highlighted that employees of the judicial sector of the previous government including judges, prosecutors and lawyers as “a group at serious risk” under the Taliban-run administration.

It is also stated that not only prosecutors but also their family members are at grave risk of abduction, persecution and death threats by the ruling regime. This situation has been confirmed by Amnesty International and human rights organizations at the national and international levels, however, no decisive actions have been taken to help exiled the lawmakers to resettle in third countries.

However, the UNHCR has ignored these reports and dozens of other undeniable documents, all of which prove the overwhelming danger to the life and property of the prosecutors. “They deserve the international support more than any other group,” said a participating lawyer at the peaceful gathering.

Meanwhile, the UNHCR’s passive role in the legal status of Afghan refugees, civil society activists, in particular, is highly disappointing according to them. Currently, the UNHCR does not issue refugee certificates or cards to Afghan migrants for unknown reasons, complicating their situation as neither the European diplomatic missions nor Canadian or Australian Embassies accept humanitarian visa applications directly.

[…]

Exiled Afghan Prosecutors in Pakistan Urge Intl Community to Help Them Resettle

https://caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewhc/admin/2023/871

https://www.jurist.org/commentary/2023/05/taliban-reshapes-judiciary/

https://theprint.in/world/over-290-afghan-prisoners-likely-to-be-released-from-pakistan/1603022/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/afghanistan-immigration-taliban-sean-fraser-1.6839106

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2023/05/15/canada-owes-nothing-to-afghans-who-worked-with-ottawa-it-argues-in-lawsuit.html

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-canadian-afghan-advisers-take-government-to-court-over-alleged/

Afghanistan: Taliban’s treatment of women and girls should be investigated as the crime against humanity of gender persecution – new report
Self-help guide to the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy by Afghan Pro Bono Initiative

https://www.cbapd.org/details_en.aspx?id=sk_sk23wom03n

https://www.jurist.org/features/2023/05/25/interview-german-mep-hanna-neumann-discusses-womens-rights-in-afghanistan-under-taliban-rule/

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/taliban-will-allow-australians-into-afghanistan-to-investigate-war-crimes-allegations/ji804leel

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/government-scraps-visa-for-afghan-interpreters-who-helped-australians/5wu2218as

https://www.afghanlawyers.com/wali-raheen-93

http://www.gisti.org/spip.php?article6645 (FRANCAIS)

https://voyage.gc.ca/destinations/afghanistan

Pakistan: Lawyer shot dead in Quetta; legal fraternity boycotts proceedings

Sem categoria 06/06/2023 Leave a comment

06/06/23

The lawyers have boycotted the proceedings in all the courts after the incident

A Supreme Court lawyer was shot dead by unidentified gunmen near the airport in Quetta on Tuesday.

Police said Advocate Abdur Razzaq was shot and killed near Alamo Chowk. The suspects shot him with a Kalashnikov. Police shifted the body to the Civil Hospital where the post-mortem is being conducted.

As per the preliminary forensic evidence, the victim received 16 bullets in different parts of his body.

Soon after the incident, the legal fraternity boycotted the proceedings in all city courts. 

The deceased was one of the petitioner in a treason case against the PTI chairman. Lawyers Aman Ullah Kanrani and Abdur Razzaq had jointly submitted a petition in the Balochistan High Court (BHC) seeking an action against the former prime minister under the Article 6 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

The hearing on the petition was scheduled to be held tomorrow (Wednesday). 

https://dunyanews.tv/en/Crime/729751-SC-lawyer-shot-dead-by-unknown-gunmen-in-Quetta-

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1077754-sc-lawyer-pleading-imran-s-treason-case-shot-dead-in-quetta

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2420499/lawyer-gunned-down-in-quetta-drive-by-shooting

https://www.aajenglish.tv/news/30323683

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan_Tehreek-e-Insaf

چیئرمین پی ٹی آئی کیخلاف سنگین غداری کی درخواست دائر کرنے والے وکیل کو قتل کردیا گیا
(URDU)