LONDON’S Green Euro-MP Jean Lambert has condemned the shooting of a lawyer in Pakistan.

Ms Lambert, who chairs the European Parliament’s Delegation to South Asia, which includes Pakistan, made her comments after it emerged that gunmen shot dead Rashid Rahman, a lawyer defending a university lecturer accused of blasphemy yesterday.

She said: “It is vital for the human rights of everyone in Pakistan – including the freedom to practice religion unhindered – that the rule of law is upheld.

“For the rule of law to work, everyone must be entitled to a defence – and that implies that lawyers can go about their work free from the threat of violence.

“Previously human rights defenders have struggled to find lawyers willing to represent them because of fear of violent reprisals – and that’s bad for everyone as it reduces equality before the law and promotes gun-law.”