Karamba, I concur with you totally. This shameless notion of acquiescing to the whims of this criminal government by legal professionals should cease. And there is precedence for such a principled stance in recent global history. It's only a few months ago that the Chief Justice of Pakistan defied the Military junta ruling that nation by refusing to swear allegiance to them. The old man did the honorable thing: he resigned rather than serve an illigitimate and barbaric regime! That single act has been applauded the world over. I watched an interview of the Pakistani HOS just yesterday in which he was playing down that defiance. But who is he fooling? But back to your point, it's about time Gambian lawyers as a group stand up for the people. Lawyer Joof's protest against the ID Card detentions at Denton Bridge last year is a step in the right direction. However, one would hope to see a more assertive role from this group. There's nothing surprising about some of them willingly carrying out illegal orders. They have a fine phrase for it in the Gambia: "doing my duty!" We just have to pray for our nation Karamba, 'cause as long as some people and their immediate families are alright, they don't just give a hoot what happens to anybody else. Saul. >From: [log in to unmask] >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list ><[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Gambian lawyers and human rights >Date: Sun, 5 Mar 2000 17:05:25 EST > >Lawyers the world over are considered officers of the court and for good >reason too. They are expected to ply their trade within the framework of >law > ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------