Countrywide protest against targeted killings of lawyers on May 23: Asma Jahangir

President of Supreme Court Bar Association Ms Asma Jahangir says on call of Pakistan Bar Council legal fraternity will observe countrywide black day and complete strike on May 23, 2011 to protest against growing targeted killings of members of legal fraternity.

Speaking at Meet the Press program at Karachi Press Club, she said all bar associations will observe black day, black flags hoisted, lawyers completely boycott courts proceedings and stage protest demonstrations. General body meetings will be held to chalk out future course of action.

She stated targeted killings of lawyers and citizens by criminals or law enforcers were on rise in all provinces. “The mechanism to protect human rights exists no where in country. People are begging for justice.” The incidents of lawyers kidnapping of lawyers has become routine and no action is being taken, rarely culprits are arrested, but they also go scot-free due to state machinery’s inefficiency, she stated.

She said growing VVIP security and protocol culture of rulers was big joke with country and its people, who were badly suffering due to deteriorating law, order situation.

SCBA President observed present democratic system had failed to deliver to masses according to their aspirations. “We waged struggle for strengthening democratic system and institutions.

But, merely conducting elections does not mean existence of a true democracy. Democracy means giving equal rights to every citizen, empowering vulnerable segments of society like minorities, women folk. Unfortunately present democratic system, which itself is facing uncertainty, has failed to deliver.”

Ms Asma expressed concern over functioning of judiciary, saying junior judges were being promoted, lawyers not considered for appointment as judges to high courts.

“We want people from all segments of society urban and rural to sit on benches. Progressive-minded people, who struggled for independence of judiciary, are ignored in process of appointing and evaluation of judges and lawyers.”

Ms Asma Jahangir said in recent meetings code of conduct of bar associations was also discussed and it needs improvement which must be brought about.

On proposed constitution of judiciary commission to probe Abbotabad operation, she said though integrity of proposed members suggested by PML-N was unquestionable, but another important things was setting terms and conditions of working of commission.(Frontier Post)

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