The Malaysian Bar - Statement on Recent Death Threats against Dr. Asma Jahangir in Pakistan

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Statement on Recent Death Threats against Dr. Asma Jahangir in Pakistan

Wednesday, 04 July 2012 09:07am

On 4th June 2012, preeminent human rights lawyer Dr. Asma Jahangir disclosed during a televised interview that a “responsible and highly credible source” had informed her of orders to assassinate her from the state intelligence agency of Pakistan, the Inter-Services Intelligence Agency (ISI). This recent threat follows her criticism of the military’s actions and security establishment. Dr. Jahangir is a former CLA Council Member for Pakistan and former Chair of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan which is an institutional member of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA). She is a pivotal supporter of human rights, especially the rights of women, children, and religious minorities,

The CLA notes that although Dr. Jahangir has received death threats before, this one is particularly alarming due to the recent rise in assassination attempts against activists and dissenting politicians in Pakistan, as well as the allegation that state actors are behind the threat. The CLA has previously made reference to this problem in relation to the operation of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan.

The CLA notes that the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group (EPG), of which Dr. Jahangir is a member, demanded immediate Commonwealth action in response to these “credible and extremely worrying reports” of death threats in a statement issued on 8th June 2012.

The CLA notes that the Commonwealth Secretary-General Mr. Sharma also issued a statement on 8th June 2012 affirming that he had been in direct contact with Dr Jahangir, as well as the Chair of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) and the Government of Pakistan.

The CLA urges the Government of Pakistan to make every effort to provide full protection for Dr. Asma Jahangir and launch an immediate and transparent inquiry into the threats against her life.

The CLA supports the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, and Amnesty International in their calls for immediate action.

Commonwealth Lawyers Association

12th June 2012

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The Commonwealth Lawyer’s Association is an international organisation which exists to promote and maintain the rule of law throughout the Commonwealth by ensuring that an independent and efficient legal profession, with the highest standards of ethics and integrity, serves the people of the Commonwealth. www.commonwealthlawyers.com

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