Law Times

LAW TIMES / MAY 26, 2008 PAGE 9 Legal profession shouldn't remain silent Continued from page 7 and condemned the actions of the Musharraf regime. Lawyers showed their solidarity, support, and admiration for colleagues at the bar in Pakistan. The event was made possible by the law society, the Ontario Bar Asso- ciation, and the LRWC working together. The CBA also held a parallel event in Ottawa. The law society continues to monitor the developments in Pakistan and to intervene as the country reinstates the rule of law. In March, the law society endorsed written and oral sub- missions made by the LRWC at the 7th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. The statement was also endorsed by 15 other non- governmental organizations. In March 2008, immediately after his swearing-in, Pakistan's new prime minister announced that he would demand the im- mediate release of all arrested judges. Shortly thereafter, de- posed Chief Justice Chaudhry emerged from house arrest. "I have no words to thank you for the way you struggled for nearly five months for the en- forcement of the rule of law and our constitution," the chief jus- tice said to lawyers and activists who were present to applaud his release. So, in answer to the news an- chor's question, why lawyers? Because if being a lawyer means anything it means stand- ing up for the rule of law. Be- cause lawyers and judges are the first ones whom tyrants seek to silence. Because the events in Pakistan, a strong constitutional democracy and a member of the Commonwealth that shares our common law traditions, remind us how fragile the rule of law can be. And because the erosion of the rule of law anywhere threatens the rule of law everywhere. We should join our voices with those lawyers from around the world. We should let them know that we support them; we should let them know that we too will speak out against the abuse of power. And we should let them know that we will stand up for the rule of law whenever and wherever it is subverted by those who consider themselves to be above the law. heart. We have a great opportu- nity to build alliances in support of the rule of law and an end to the violation of the human rights This is a subject close to my of our fellow global citizens. The legal profession should not remain silent. We must speak out. In the words of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy in Burma, who remains under house arrest there, "Please use your liberty to help promote ours." LT Gavin MacKenzie is the treasurer of the law society, a partner in Heen- an Blaikie LLP, and the author of Lawyers and Ethics: Professional Responsibility and Discipline. His e-mail address is gmackenzie @heenan.ca. THINK BIG. WIN BIG. Litigator keeps getting bigger and better In addition to tens of thousands of actual court documents in Civil Practice, Insurance, Torts, and Employment, Litigator™ now offers new document collections in Corporate/Commercial and Real Property. Litigator does the heavy lifting so you can do the heavy thinking Access tens of thousands of pleadings, motions, and facta from actual leading cases. Review quantum services that tell you instantly what a claim is worth. Analyze trends and patterns in the judge's rulings and opposing counsel's actions. Get the persuasive arguments, competitive intelligence, and big picture strategy you need to build a strong case. www.litigatoronline.ca AUTHORITATIVE.INNOVATIVE.TRUSTED. Untitled-2 1 www.lawtimesnews.com 5/20/08 9:57:38 AM 11540(T2) MM2 04/08

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