Adil Najam
The frustration and anger that one finds in the comments on the Emergency imposed by Gen. Musharraf in Pakistan is mirrored everywhere. In every conversation one has with any Pakistani anywhere. I was in Pakistan till last weekend and this pent-up feeling of frustration was evident in every conversation even before the Emergency was imposed.
It is, of course, a complex feeling emanating from the complex dynamics of our complex politics. At its very core, however, is the burning desire to be able to “do something” about what is happening made all the intense by a sense of helplessness about exactly what it is that we as citizens might, in fact, be able to do that might make a difference.
Since Saturday every conversation I have had with Pakistanis ends in exactly this question. What can we do? I have an in-box full of emails asking me to sign a petition, attend a meeting, say this or that to the media if I speak to them, join a protest, pass on a message, do this or that on ATP, join a conference call to plan a strategy, send out notes to my contacts, and so much more. There have been call after call from friends and acquaintance many of whom not even Pakistanis who just want to talk and share the intensity of their disgust at how the events are unfolding.
Of course, at the basest level doing anything – anything at all – has a cathartic effect and makes one feel that at least we did not do nothing. But the desire to do something is more intense. The desire not to just be a spectator to history. The desire to have contributed something, somehow. As one watches the heroic struggle of the lawyers, and now the students, to stand up and speak out – despite the brutality they are met with – makes this desire even more intense.
We each do what we can. We speak out to the media (I have had more than a dozen media interviews and comments already, we give talks (I have been giving multiple talks on this a day), we send out messages of support to those on the front lines in Pakistan to let them know that they are not alone, we sign petitions, and above all we hold hands in solidarity and vent our feelings where ever we can – on blogs, on phone calls to friends, in gatherings. All of this helps some, but one keeps wondering if it really makes a difference to the big picture?
Even if it is not, it is clearly worth doing. But can more be done? What? How? We would like to hear from our readers on that. Please let us know what is already happening as well as suggest what more could happen.
Are there to many petitions going around; so many that they might lose their efficacy? Are some of us crossing the line between that which is anti-Musharraf and that which is anti-Pakistan? Even if they mean the same thing, strategically would a message that is pro-constitution, pro-democracy, pro-Pakistani resistance be better than one that is anti-individual? How can one best support those lawyers and students and others who are on the front-line of action, especially those who are not physically there? What, if any, are the dangers of focusing our attention too much of external actors rather than those in Pakistan itself? How does one explain to the media and policy-makers abroad that the events we are seeing is not the failure of a nation (the Pakistani people) these are the failure of a person and a particular government? (I personally have been saying to friends and to the media that I remain bullish on Pakistan and bearish on Musharraf).
These and many others are the questions that boil in ones head. There must be other questions too. Share these with us, but more importantly point us towards answers. Share with our readers what you are doing. How others can help. What should be done.
Note to commentors: My own views on the subject have been pretty clear and I feel no compulsion to either defend them or amend them. While I consider thsi emergency an anti-Pakistan and anti-Pakistani act, I do not doubt the patriotism or integrity of those who disagree. Pakistaniat is based on the premise that there can be, have to be, multiple views and they all must be respected, even when we disagree with them. Those of us who resent the emergency because it has tried to silence certain voices cannot then silence or disempower those who disagree with our views.
I say all this because over the last few days we have had to moderate out too many comments. More, in fact, from people we might agree with than those who we do not. One realizes that the moment is tense and passions are flared, but we stand committed to implementing our comment policy as best as we can. We have moderated, and will continue to do so, not because of content but because of infringements of our comment policy. We are, and will remain, especially careful about inappropriate language, personal attacks, inflammatory and disrespectful tactics, uncivil and slanderous language, and irrelevant diatribes. Please help us in not moderating your comment out by resisting these things. (And, please stop sending us notes about why you can misbehave because someone else did; we try to catch these things as best as we can and even if we miss them sometimes that does not give others a liscence to misbehavior). We remain committed to having a civil discourse and no matter whether we agree with you or not, no matter if you are an old friend or anew acquaintance, we will do our best to maintain that civility. If and when we feel that we are unable to do so, we are more likely to just close down the blog then to give in to people’s tantrums and badtameezi.
Another voice joins in:
The National Association of Women Lawyers Joins in the ABA’s Resolutions
Regarding Pakistan and Supports the November 14, 2007 March in
Washington
As the world is aware, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, President of the Islamic
Republic of Pakistan, declared a state-of-emergency on November 3, 2007
which has resulted in suspension of its constitution, judicial
processes, and the rule of law. It has also resulted in the detention
of lawyers and human rights advocates. The ABA has issued statements and
sent a letter to General Musharraf condemning these actions. The
National Association of Women Lawyers concurs with the sentiments
expressed in the ABA’s November 6, 2007 statements. NAWL, too, urges
that Pakistan resume observance of the rule of law. Tomorrow, November
14, 2007, in Washington, D.C., the ABA is leading a march in support of
the lawyers and the rule of law in Pakistan.
Another voice, another day:
*PROTEST AGAINST MARTIAL LAW IN PAKISTAN*
*OUTSIDE UN PLAZA, NEW YORK *
Sunday, November 18, 2007
1:00pm – 3:00pm
*Location: *UN Head Quarters,* *First Avenue at 46th Street
*Subway: *42nd St.-Grand Central (4,5,6,7,S)
/NY Students’ Pakistan Action Committee is a coalition of students
across NY Universities./
Recieved this in my email, obviously a movement is afot:
News About the ABA and Issues of Importance to the ABA
Produced by the Division for Media Relations and Communication Services
14 November 2007
ABA News Coverage
“OCU Law to Hold Vigils for Imprisoned Judges, Attorneys,” Journal
Record, “Oklahoma attorneys, law professors and students will meet at
the Oklahoma City School of Law Wednesday to participate in one of three
silent vigils scheduled to show solidarity with lawyers and judges in
Pakistan, many of whom have been imprisoned recently for campaigning for
restoration of the rule of law in that country by its president, Pervez
Musharraf. … The American Bar Association is sponsoring a rally and
march near the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., and is urging
American attorneys to host solidarity events. ‘It is time for us to
demonstrate that we share Pakistani lawyer’s commitment to justice,’
said ABA President William Neukom. ‘Together, we will show that Pakistan
lawyers are not fighting alone.’
http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=83573
“Hundreds Rally at Courthouse to Support Pakistani Attorneys,” New York
Law Journal, “About 700 lawyers rallied yesterday afternoon in front of
state Supreme Court in Manhattan to show support for lawyers and judges
in Pakistan battling for the restoration of the rule of law. Addressing
the throng that poured down the courthouse steps and spilled onto the
sidewalk, Barry Kamins, president of the New York City Bar Association,
said the rally was called ‘to embolden” the Pakistani lawyers and judges
who have been “physically manning barricades and trying to face down an
entire army.’ Kathryn Madigan, president of the New York State Bar
Association, also called for lawyers to speak “with one voice in defense
of the rule of law” in Pakistan. …The American Bar Association has
called for lawyers to march around the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington,
D.C., and attend a rally on the courthouse steps tomorrow.”
http://www.law.com/jsp/nylj/
8246981>
“Michigan Lawyers Express Solidarity with Pakistani Law Community,”
Daily Times, “The State Bar of Michigan has urged its members to show
support for their Pakistani counterparts and to ‘encourage our own
government to support the release of the detained judges, lawyers and
human rights activists, and the restoration of the rule of law in
Pakistan.’ Ronald D Keefe, president of the state bar group, in a
statement in the Detroit Free Press writes, ‘Like so many others, I am
deeply disturbed by the recent events in Pakistan, where President
Pervez Musharraf has suspended the national Constitution, detained eight
members of the Supreme Court, and arrested thousands of Pakistani
lawyers who were peacefully protesting the dismantling of their legal
system.’ …Keefe reminds his members that the American Bar Association
is planning a march in Washington, DC, on November 14, where lawyers in
black suits will gather and walk around the US Supreme Court building.”
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/
“Hub Attorneys Rally for Pakistani Lawyers,” Boston Business Journal,
“In a protest against the firing of the Chief Justice of Pakistan and
the beating and jailing of lawyers opposed to martial law in Pakistan,
the Boston Bar Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association and other
bars groups rallied on the steps of the Massachusetts State House
Tuesday. …Boston Bar Association president Tony Doniger also urged BBA
members to attend a national rally at noon on Wednesday at the U.S.
Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., which is being organized by the
American Bar Association. ‘I encourage all members to rally today to
show their support for restoring the Constitution of Pakistan and
underscoring the importance of an independent judiciary,’ said Boston
Bar Association president Tony Doniger, in a statement. ‘Once again we
join in the call of the American Bar Association and others for the
immediate restoration of the Pakistani legal system.'”
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2007/11/12/
>
“Inside the Beltway: Lawyers In Arms,” Washington Times, “Word is that
there are more lawyers in the District on a per capita basis then in any
other country in the world, and this morning they will march en masse in
support of lawyers and the rule of law in Pakistan. ‘ Images this week
of police beating and jailing almost 3,000 Pakistani lawyers were almost
as shocking as General Pervez Musharraf suspending Pakistan’s
Constitution and putting Supreme Court under house arrest,’ William H.
Neukom, president of the American Bar Association, wrote to his fellow
lawyers. He says a ‘critical mass of lawyers’ will gather at 11:30 a.m.
at the James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. SE, and march
around the Supreme Court.” (Contact MRCS for complete articles,
abanews@abanet.org)
Pakistani chief justice to receive Harvard Law School ‘Medal of Freedom’
http://www.law.harvard.edu/news/2007/11/13_pakistan.php
Yes, some are stirred.
We all have to look in the mirror each morning.
If you will not speak for the one who needs help, whom will you speak for? If the weakest among us is not treated as the strongest for his rights, then where is the morality?
And yes, we shall speak again and again, even from the comfort of our homes. Because if we are unable to do anything, lending our voice is the least we can do.
There is still shame alive in this world.
We who speak have it. We do not support shameless acts.
We do not have, nor will we send in the goons. We do not have guns. We do not have mercenaries. We do not want to hurt someone to make a point. That is your domain.
We are not cut from the same cloth, you will not understand us.
We will speak up for the weak.
Against, shameless acts.
Pakistan Zindabad
Pakistan Pa’indabad
Great that Harvard Law has stood up for principle. I find the lack of discussion around Mr. Chaudhry on this board somewhat disheartening. We need to remember his fight above all.