Pakistan - ICJ welcomes reinstatement of Chief Justice Chaudhry

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) welcomes the reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry by the Government of Pakistan on 16 March 2009.

"The reinstatement of the Chief Justice is an historic milestone in reaffirming the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in Pakistan," said Dato Param Cumaraswamy, ICJ Honorary Commissioner and former UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges. "It will help restore public and international confidence in the judicial system, but for this to be effective, the Government must ensure functional independence of the judiciary, without any executive interference in the future."

Pakistan - Human Rights Council`s 2nd Session of the Universal Periodic Review (May2008): ICJ Submission on Pakistan

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) raised in its submission the Government of Pakistan's failure to fully and effectively ensure and protect human rights and the rule of law in the fight against terrorist acts and to protect people against terrorism. The ICJ also addressed the issue of the Government's attacks on the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the legal profession over the last nine months, and especially since 3 November 2007. These concerns should be addressed as a matter of priority in the Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review of Pakistan.

Pakistan - Further dismantling of rule of law: Amended laws undermine civilian judiciary and consolidate military control

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) today expressed deep concern at further assaults on the rule of law by the Government of Pakistan, including the arrest and detention of thousands of lawyers and the misuse of existing laws and adoption of new or amended laws that further undermine the civilian judiciary and consolidate military control.

Pakistan - Suspension of constitution grave blow to rule of law. President urged to end attack on independence of judges and lawyers

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) today condemned the suspension of the constitution in Pakistan, the summary dismissal of the Chief Justice and the arrest of leading lawyers, and expressed grave concern at this dismantling of the rule of law.

Pakistan - ICJ concludes Mission to assess developments related to Reference against Chief Justice Chaudhry

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) today concluded its seven-day Mission to Pakistan to examine events and developments since the President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf directed the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) of Pakistan to consider allegations of misconduct against Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry on 9 March 2007.

Pakistan - ICJ begins mission to assess developments related to reference against Chief Justice Chaudry

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) begins today a seven-day high-level mission to Pakistan to examine events and developments since the President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf directed the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) of Pakistan to consider allegations of misconduct against Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudry on 9 March 2007.

Pakistan - ICJ concerned over suspension of Chief Justice Chaudhry and the use of force against protesting lawyers

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) today expressed its serious concerns about the unconstitutional suspension of the Chief Justice by the Government of Pakistan. The ICJ called on the Government to act urgently to demonstrate its commitment to the independence of judges and lawyers by releasing the Chief Justice from effective house arrest, according him full rights to defend himself in any truly independent and transparent investigation into allegations against him, and by allowing lawyers to protest peacefully.

Pakistan - Global inquiry assesses counter-terrorism laws and policies in Pakistan

Members of the Eminent Jurists Panel on Terrorism, Counter-terrorism and Human Rights concluded their visit to Pakistan today. The Panel, an independent group of eight jurists appointed by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), is conducting a global inquiry on the impact of terrorism and counter-terrorism measures on the rule of law, human rights and humanitarian law.

Pakistan - ICJ Deplores the Deaths of Three Judges

The ICJ's Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers (ICJ/CIJL) today expressed its shock at the killing of three judges in Pakistan after a jail siege on Friday 25 July. Judges Cheema, Anwar and Ranjha had been taken hostage by prisoners and died as a result of gunfire when police officers stormed the jail to end the siege.

Pakistan - Attacks on Justice 2002 - Pakistan

The independence of the judiciary was largely undermined by the order by General Musharraf in January 2000 that Pakistani judges take a fresh oath of loyalty to his administration. In May 2000, the Supreme Court, reconstituted after the dismissal of six judges who refused the oath, upheld General Musharraf's military coup of 1999, under the doctrine of state necessity.

Pakistan - The ICJ Condemns the Illegal Exercise of Judicial Power by Tribal Councils in Pakistan

The ICJ intervented with President Pervez Musharraf requesting that police inaction in the case of the gang-rape of a woman and her very young brother be investigated and that the abusive and illegal exercise of judicial power by tribal councils Pakistan be prevented. The case concerns the gang-rape of Mukhtaran Bibi, as ordered by the Tribal Council in Punjab in retribution for her very young brother's alleged "affair" with an older women. Our information indicates that the "affair" was in fact fabricated to cover up the brother's earlier gang-sodomy by man from a higher caste. The woman's case is now before the Supreme Court, however, no action has been taken in regard to the child.

The transcript of this intervention follows:

Pakistan - Attacks on Justice 2000 - Pakistan

On 27 January 2000, the new Musharaf government gave instructions to judges in Pakistan to take a fresh oath of allegiance to the unconstitutional army-led administration. Chief Justice Said-uz Zaman Siddiqi and about 20 other judges, including five Supreme Court judges, have refused to take the new oath. Harsh measures were taken against these judges and the Chief Justice himself was replaced. The CIJL is aware of at least 34 judges and lawyers who were murdered in Pakistan during the last three years.

Pakistan - ICJ/CIJL Condemn Military Government's Gross Interference in Judiciary in Pakistan

Today, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and its Centre for the independence of Judges and Lawyers (CIJL), voiced utmost concern over military instructions to judges in Pakistan to take a fresh oath of allegiance to the unconstitutional army led administration in that country.

Pakistan - Attack on Advocate Asma Jahangir

The Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers (CIJL) intervened today with the Government of Pakistan, expressing its deep concern over the recent attack on Advocate Asma Jahangir. The CIJL requested that this attack be fully investigated, that the perpetrators be brought to justice, and that Advocate Jahangir be protected from such attacks in the future. The CIJL urged the Government of Pakistan to strive to maintain the Rule of Law, the independence of the judiciary, and the right to a fair trial.

Pakistan - ICJ Pressured on Kashmir Report

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) regrets the Government of Pakistan's attempt to influence the result of the ICJ report on Kashmir. Acting apparently upon instructions from Islamabad, representatives of the Pakistani government approached ICJ members in various capitals in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. The officials sought to exert political pressure on the ICJ's professional work in favour of one of the parties involved. This type of pressure is unprecedented in the history of the ICJ.