Reminder: Invitation to June 22 event on "The Black Coat Revolution: How Pakistan's Lawyers Turned the Tide Against General Musharaf's Dictatorship"

The International Forum for Democratic Studies

at the National Endowment for Democracy

cordially invites you to a luncheon presentation entitled

The Black Coat Revolution:

How Pakistan’s Lawyers Turned the Tide Against General Musharaf’s Dictatorship 

featuring

Zahid F. Ebrahim

Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellow 

with comments by 

Brian Joseph

National Endowment for Democracy 

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

12:00 noon–2:00 p.m.

(Lunch served 12:00–12:30 pm) 

1025 F. Street, N.W., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004

Tel.: 202-378-9675

RSVP (acceptances only) with name and affiliation by Friday, June 18

by email to fellowsrsvp@ned.org

The lawyers’ movement in Pakistan unraveled one of the most well-entrenched and sophisticated military dictatorships of the 21st century. The courage of young men and women, dressed in black suits, fearlessly fighting for the rule of law, inspired the nation and launched Pakistan on the path to democracy. As a lawyer on the frontlines of this historic struggle, Zahid F. Ebrahim gives an inside account of the Black Coat Revolution. In his presentation, Mr. Ebrahim will explain the motivations that brought the lawyers into the streets to challenge General Musharaf’s regime. Mr. Ebrahim will also discuss how the lawyers movement was able to inspire a new breed of political activists who worked with a broad coalition of civil society actors committed to a democratic order based on the rule of law. His presentation will be followed by comments by Brian Joseph.

Mr. Zahid F. Ebrahim, an advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, has been engaged in activities to restore judicial independence in the country following the fall of General Musharraf’s regime. Mr. Ebrahim has also fought to protect the right of free expression throughout Pakistan and South Asia, on behalf of organizations such as the Pakistan Broadcasters’ Association, Interights, Frontline, Article XIX, the Commonwealth Press Union, and Time Inc. Ebrahim’s writings defending journalists against criminal sanctions for critical speech were cited during the contempt trial of celebrated Indian author Arundhati Roy. Mr. Brian Joseph is the senior director of NED’s Asia program.