The Emergency Times 25

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The Emergency Times Dec 6th, 2007Please Photocopy and Distribute

Disclaimer: This publication is not affiliated with or does not endorse any political party or social group. It is a humbleeffort to inspire and make aware- for we together can make a difference in these troubled times.Write to us at [email protected] . Our online version is on pakistanmartiallaw.blogspot.com

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The Emergency Times

Quote of the Day

“In order to conquer, what we need is to dare, still to dare, and always to dare.” - Georges Jacques Danton

Updates on the Student Movement

Lahore 05.12.2007 -

Despite intimidation by the police, LUMS students continued their protest today (Wednesday). A sit-in washeld at 1 pm outside the PDC. Students and faculty members made speeches, condemning the FIRsregistered against members of the LUMS community and asking the protestors to continue their fight for

justice. The eviction of Justice Shahid Siddiqui from his residence and the disgraceful treatment meted out toUS peace activists Medea Benjamin and Tighe Barry were also strongly condemned. Students from LUMS

were present at Justice Siddiqui's residence at 2 am this morning and during the day today (Wednesday),forming part of a human shield to prevent the police from entering the premises.

Student Representatives from the LUMS Action committee along with prominent human rights activists,PMDC members, Lawyers, students and civil society members, attended a debate organized by The Campaignfor Democracy and Rule of Law, at the Lahore Press Club today. The debate was held between theaforementioned groups and party members from most of the political parties to discuss party stancesregarding the upcoming elections. Other than the ANP and PPP, party representatives confirmed that they

would be boycotting the elections under the present circumstances.

A talk took place this evening on campus, followed by a screening of the documentary 'Missing People'.Recent achievements and activities of the students were discussed as were present and future strategies, theimportance of maintaining the movement at all costs was emphasized. Later the horrific account of the

missing people left a stunned and stricken audience to silently contemplate the tragedy and trauma of themany families left broken by the arbitrary abductions of their loved ones by Government agencies. The LUMSStudent Action Committee has also organized a protest to be held on campus tomorrow.



The Emergency Times Dec 6th, 2007Please Photocopy and Distribute

Disclaimer: This publication is not affiliated with or does not endorse any political party or social group. It is a humbleeffort to inspire and make aware- for we together can make a difference in these troubled times.Write to us at [email protected] . Our online version is on pakistanmartiallaw.blogspot.com

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Justice Siddiqui suffers angina attack!

Dear all,

Late last night/early this morning, the police did, in fact come to Justice Siddiqui's house in Lahore andremoved the barricades ( i.e. chairs, bedding etc. placed by the protesters) in preparation of the eviction.

Justice Siddiqui suffered an angina episode and was admitted at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology. Pleasesend notes, flowers to show your continued support for him in this ordeal. For those outside the city orcountry, you can e-mail your letter of support to [email protected] - we will make sure the letterreaches him.

Thanks & God bless you all

In Complete Solidarity

CCP (Concerned Citizens of Pakistan Team)

Black Day to be observed on 10 th December

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan calls upon all members of civil society to observe the UniversalHuman Rights Day as a "black day". The worst human rights abuses, in the history of the country, wererecorded in 2007. The rights of ordinary people have been violated by the government with impunity. Morethan 400 people have been picked up by security forces and many remain missing. The Musharraf regimeobstructed the Supreme Court in providing justice to those who remain disappeared, as well as those whorecorded their statements of having suffered extreme forms of torture at the hands of the security forces.Reports of torture, threats, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests run into thousands. Incidents of extrajudicialkillings continue to be reported but never investigated.

The situation has now reached alarming proportions. The coercive apparatus of the State are being blatantlyused against all sections of civil society. The media is chained and free expression censured. Thousands of lawyers, journalists, students, teachers and human rights activists were arrested. A number of them remainincarcerated under deplorable conditions. Lawyers and others have been accused of offences falling under theAnti-Terrorism Act. Thirty-five judges of superior courts have been put under house arrest. The family of theChief Justice of Pakistan is also confined to their residence. This is unprecedented.

The rights of the people are being usurped on the pretext of curbing terrorism. It is the people who aresuffering terrorism; both at the hands of non-state militants and state agents. The government has failed tobring militants to justice or to disarm them. On the contrary, at several occasions, the government and itsagents have patronized or in the least, ignored criminal acts carried out by militants acting in the name of Islam.

HRCP warns that the claim made by Musharraf of moving towards a transition to democracy is a total farce. The assertion is yet another smack on the face of the people of Pakistan. Amendments to the LegalPractitioners and Bar Council Act as well as the Army Act are only a few examples of the government's grandplan to subjugate the spirit of peaceful members of civil society. Much more is to follow.HRCP, along with other civil society groups, will organize a black day on the 10th of December. Black flagsand bands should be displayed on this unworthy occasion. In order to record the laudable struggle of thelegal fraternity of Pakistan HRCP will award the best documentary film made on this movement. All entriesare to be submitted by 30 June 2008.

Asma JahangirChairperson Human Rights Commission of Pakistan







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The Emergency Times 25