Heroism of Pakistani Lawyers, Judges to be Honored By American Bar Association

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 29, 2008 —The vivid bravery of Pakistani lawyers who faced down baton-wielding police over threats to their country’s constitution, and judges who were fired or quit their posts will be honored by American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative. The ABA has announced it is giving its annual Rule of Law award to “those lawyers and judges in Pakistan who demonstrated courage in upholding the rule of law in their country.”

The award will be formally made in August at the ABA Rule of Law luncheon, part of the ABA Annual Meeting in New York City. The honor has been given to an array of world leaders and defenders of the rule of law over its 14-year history, including Vaclav Havel while he was president of the Czech Republic, U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justices Anthony Kennedy and Stephen Breyer, and the Committee of Voters of Ukraine.

Representatives from the Pakistani legal and judicial community will be invited to come to New York to accept the award on behalf of the Pakistani lawyers and judges who have championed the rule of law.

The luncheon is set for Aug. 9 at the New York Hilton. Credentialed reporters are welcome to cover the luncheon for free: contact ABA Media Relations for additional details or to register.