Restore democratic rights in Pakistan

This is an open letter to Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf.

The DuPage County Bar Association joins the American Bar Association and other legal organizations across the United States in expressing its strenuous objections to the suspension of the nation's constitution Nov. 3, the detention of eight members of the Pakistani Supreme Court, the placement of former Prime Minister Bhutto under house arrest and the arrest of thousands of Pakistani lawyers for standing up for the rights of the people.

These actions represent a serious breach of the rule of law which cannot be tolerated in an open and democratic society.

There is an old saying in our country, which I paraphrase, as follows: "All it takes for evil to succeed, is for good men to stand around and say or do nothing."

Well, we choose to say something.

Judicial independence is the cornerstone of a free society. Thomas Jefferson, one of our nation's greatest presidents, expressed the importance of judicial autonomy in 1820 when he declared that: "A judiciary independent of a king or an executive, alone, is a good thing…"

You have promised to restore democracy to Pakistan since assuming power there in 1999. Your recent actions, including the suspension of upcoming elections, suggest otherwise.

We strongly urge you to immediately reinstate your nation's constitution, release the innocent judges and lawyers whom you have detained or placed under arrest, and allow the nation's courts and democratic process to proceed.

As Benjamin Franklin, one of America's great founding fathers, once stated:

"Anyone who would forsake their liberty, for the sake for more security, deserves neither".

The DuPage County Bar Association, founded in 1879, represents more than 2,000 lawyers devoted to advancing the practice of law and promoting the legal profession through community service and education.

Fred Spitzzeri

President

DuPage County Bar Association

Wheaton