The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) stuck to its decision to boycott the court proceedings of the Appellate Division today despite opposition to it by a group of lawyers.

The association has already informed the Chief Justice its decision through a letter. The token two-hour court boycott kicks off at 9 am today.

SCBA will observe the programme to protest against the Supreme Court's series of 'highly controversial' rulings that validated the stringent Emergency Power Rules, which revokes the right to bail of an accused facing trial under it.

SCBA leaders in a press briefing yesterday warned the dissident members of disciplinary action if they join the court violating the decision of the association.

"The Bar will take disciplinary action against the members for any act contrary to the constitution of the association," SCBA president Barrister Shafique Ahmed said.

On May 11, an emergency general meeting of the SCBA unanimously decided to boycott the Appellate Division in protest against its recent rulings on EPR which they think resulted in 'degradation of dignity of the highest judiciary and the rule of law'.

The association has already informed the Chief Justice of its decision through a letter, Barrister Shafique said.

Meanwhile, Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), a Hong Kong-based regional NGO that monitors and advocates HR issues in Asia, congratulated the SCBA boycott move, said Shafique.

The HR watchdog termed it a courageous step towards safeguarding the authority of the Supreme Court and the independence of the judiciary.