Lawyers confront judicial system officials [Archives:2006/944/Front Page]
SANA'A, May 6 ) The General Assembly of Yemeni Lawyers' Syndicate (YLS) called for firing the Attorney General and investigating corrupt officials in the judicial apparatus last Wednesday. Leading lawyers called for a press conference to discuss facts and occurrences in support for their demand.
Lawyers affirmed their demand aims to serve the social interest and protect the constitutional legitimacy.
YLS discussed last Wednesday what it calls ” a series of abuses and assaults against lawyers, reasons behind them and means to confront them”.
Lawyers briefed attendants that prosecution's leniency and indifference are the primary cause of abuses and assaults against defense-advocates. They said prosecution prolong any procedures related to cases of lawyers' attacks and did not arrest perpetrators, particularly those occupying leading posts or having excellent contacts in the judiciary.
Some YLS members claimed that the majority of judicial officials practice oppression against defense-advocates and prevent them from pursuing their legal actions. They described such acts against defense-advocates as a violation of the constitution and laws placed in effect, as well as an abuse of the rights of citizens who seem to be deprived of the right to appoint legal advocates to defend them.
According to YLS, prosecution is lenient toward wrongdoers, a fact making citizens believe that prosecution apparatuses are unable to perform their constitutional and legal duties to stop arbitrary practices against citizens and lawyers as well.
Responding to YLS, the Attorney-General Office sent a letter to the syndicate, expressing its sorrow and concern about what he termed as: irresponsible behavior of the YLS Sana'a Branch when following up procedures of colleagues' cases.
The letter confirmed that prosecution performs its duties by supervising and dealing with cases of lawyers and citizens according to the constitution and law.
The Attorney General office warned lawyers of consequences associated with conducts by YLS Sana'a Branch, advising them to abide by the law while raising any demands. It said it is ready to respond to any legal demands presented in a manner showing respect for the constitution and law.
On a similar front, the judiciary employees continued to wear red badges until Sunday May 7 in protest to their unsettled salaries, despite the wage strategy approved by the government in July 2005.
The hanging of the red badges is an introduction to the partial strike on next Wednesday, if the authorities did not respond to the demands of the administrative employees of the judiciary.
Media sources said that the judiciary employees in Hudieda will start their comprehensive strike today in all courts and attorney offices in the different districts.
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