State of emergency threatening rule of law: IBAHRI
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—The International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has gravely expressed concern over suspension of Pakistan's constitution and arrest of judges and lawyers and has called for immediate reinstatement of the constitution.
The latest developments in Pakistan represent a serious negation of the rule of law, throwing the country into yet greater turmoil, IBAHRI said in a statement. 'The IBAHRI calls upon the Government of Pakistan to abide by the rule of law and reminds it that a state of emergency may only be called when the life of the nation is under threat. Until such time the constitution should be applied in full,' says Justice Richard Goldstone, IBAHRI Co-Chair. He adds, 'Although Pakistan's Constitution protects the independence of judges, the IBAHRI believes that the Government has subverted judicial independence by sanctioning the arrest of judges, instructing police to enter the Supreme Court and by making public statements undermining judicial authority.'
Ambassador Emilio Cardenas, IBAHRI Co-Chair says, 'With respect to peaceful protests, the IBAHRI notes that the right to free speech and freedom of assembly are integral to democracy. Although these principles are found within Pakistan's constitution, today's demonstrations by the legal fraternity have been broken up using tear gas and batons.'
The IBAHRI has expressed concerned that unless the constitution is restored and properly applied, the rule of law in Pakistan will continue to deteriorate leading to greater human rights abuses and further departure from the principles of democracy.