Sir, Lawyers from around the world condemn the criminal actions of the military forces of Burma ("Lawyers can no longer be quiet about Burma," Oct 3). The barbaric killing, torture and imprisonment of Burmese citizens undertaking an internationally recognised right of peaceful protest is criminal and must stop immediately.

The signatories to this letter wish to stress the following: Burma must establish and comply with internationally recognised standards for the rule of law.

When an order is given to, and carried out by, a soldier to use lethal force upon an unarmed civilian for simply exercising a peaceful right of protest the soldier and the person giving the orders are committing murder.

Those guilty of such crimes can, and will, be tried before courts for their crimes.

We will assist in the provision of judges, lawyers and advocates to help the Burmese people to reestablish the rule of law.

We will continue to provide that support for as long as is necessary.

All countries must support the UN Security Council in the imposition of sanctions on the Burmese military junta.

GEOFFREY VOS, QC
Chairman, Bar Council of England And Wales

TIMOTHY DUTTON, QC
Vice Chairman, Bar Council of England and Wales

ANDREW HOLROYD, OBE
President of the Law Society

DAVID SPENS, QC
Leader, South Eastern Circuit

MICHAEL REDFERN, QC
Leader, Northern Circuit

SIMON BOURNE-ARTON, QC
Leader, Northern Eastern Circuit

PETER JOYCE, QC
Leader, Midland Circuit

PHILIP MOTT, QC
Former Leader, Western Circuit

SALLY O’NEIL, QC
Chair, Criminal Bar Association

ALI MALEK, QC
Chairman, Commercial Bar Association

MICHAEL TODD, QC
Chairman, Chancery Bar Association

INGRID SIMLER, QC
Chair, Bar Council Diversity Committee

ANDREW MITCHELL, QC
Bar Council

STEPHEN WORTHINGTON, QC
Bar Council

STEPHEN LESLIE, QC
Bar Council

ADRIENNE PAGE, QC
Bar Council

SIR IVAN LAWRENCE, QC
Bar Council

MATTHIAS KELLY, QC
Bar Council

JOHN HOWELL, QC
Bar Council

DAVID COOK
Bar Council

JOHN COOPER
Bar Council

POONAM BHARI
Bar Council

ELEANOR MAWREY
Bar Council

TARYN LEE
Bar Council

PAUL KIRTLEY
Bar Council

COLIN ANDRESS
Bar Council

CHRISTINE BISPHAM
Bar Council

DAVID WURTZEL
Bar Council

MATTHEW NICKLIN
Bar Council

TOM CROWTHER
Bar Council

SOPHIE SHOTTON
Chair, Young Barristers Committee

ALEXANDER LEARMOUTH
Bar Council

MICHELLE HARRIS
Bar Council

ANDREW WALKER
Bar Council

IAN BUGG
Bar Council

KEN CRAIG
Bar Council

GREGORY JONES
Bar Council

FRANK ABBOTT
Bar Council

DAVID SOUTHERN
Treasurer, Bar Council

CATHERINE ADDY
Bar Council

FIONA JACKSON
Bar Council

RICHARD COLEMAN

SAPPHO DIAS

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