Pakistan, Solidarity and the Rule of Law: Black Flag Week March 9-15

From the Mailbox:

We are asking you to support and promote international solidarity for Black Flag Week, March 9 –15, in Pakistan.  Aitzaz Ahsan, the President of the Supreme Court Bar has called for using black flags at all rallies and meetings, and the lawyers in Pakistan will be distributing black headscarves and armbands.  We are asking for your help because the principles that lawyers stand for matter. Everywhere.

The purpose of Black Flag Week is to call for the restoration of the rule of law, the reinstatement of the judiciary and the restoration of the Constitution and democracy in Pakistan.  The recent election was a clear referendum. The people of Pakistan have spoken. Now, it is time for the judiciary to be restored, for an end to house arrests and other measures of intimidation, for the end of arbitrary rule.

We are contacting bar associations, prominent lawyers and journalists, and law schools here in the United States and asking them to show support for Pakistani lawyers by wearing black armbands or an item of black clothing that will call attention to their struggle for civil liberties.   Our goal is to inform the public about the situation there and the need for restoration of the rule of law. We would like support and publicity worldwide-- with your help-- in spreading our message or one of your own.  There are contacts at http://achievingourcountry.blogspot.com for logos or electronic copy.

We have less than a week to launch this effort.  Please help us to get the word out, because international support for these lawyers will show Pakistanis that citizens of the world really value the rule of law and want to see respect for the notion of government by the consent of the governed.

If you decide to support Black Flag Week, please let us know. Inform us about your efforts at http://achievingourcountry.blogspot.com.  Help us track support for this important effort here and around the world, as well as in Pakistan. More information is available at http://revolutionredux.wordpress.com/2008/03/02/pakistan-constitutions-and-the-rule-of-law/

-Kathleen A. Bergin