Zamran Samuel: Pakistani-origin barrister who was awarded the highest award in the UK
The Covid lockdown was a difficult phase for the UK and the world. During this time applause was played to pay tribute to those working on the front line to save lives in the UK. On one such occasion, my five-year-old son said that one day there will be applause for my father too.
It was only then that I decided that I would play my part. I felt that I could defend human rights even during the pandemic. For which I decided to provide free legal aid to victims of domestic violence during the lockdown and it started with a post on social media.
This is what Pakistan-born British barrister Zamran Samuel has to say, who has been awarded the ‘Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)’ award in the UK. He was given this award by Prince William in a grand ceremony.
Barrister Zimran has been given this award for his work for human rights.
Barrister Zimran says, “I am very fortunate to have been awarded this honour. It is my good fortune that my work is appreciated and I am considered worthy.
Barrister Zamran Samuel was born in Faisalabad district of Punjab and moved to the UK with his parents at the age of three.
Despite moving to the UK, his parents and he still have links in Pakistan.
He says that his parents have always been a role model for him in this journey of life.
“My mother, a teacher by profession, taught me to ask questions from an early age.”
After the Christian School Murree incident, the father decided to stay in Britain
Barrister Zamran Samuel explains that his father Dr Malcolm Samuel has been serving as an eye specialist at Nishtar Hospital in Multan but came to the UK for higher education.
The father thought that he would go back to Pakistan and serve, but in the meantime, there was a shooting incident in Murree Christian School in Pakistan. This is the school where my younger siblings used to study. After that, father decided for our safety and future that we will stay in UK now.
Barrister Zimran says that he was very interested in international relations since his childhood.
“I remember when Nelson Mandela was being released from prison, the whole of Britain was watching him on television and I was very interested.”
At that time I saw and understood that many lawyers are doing a lot of good in the society. On this occasion I spoke to my mother and told her that I want to do something good by becoming a barrister.
Measures taken against domestic violence during the pandemic Barrister Zimran says he has worked against domestic violence in the UK and other countries.
I have also worked on many cases like child abuse and rape, but when there was a lockdown due to the corona virus in 2020, then my work was appreciated from all sides.
During the lockdown, people could not leave their homes. Due to which various problems were arising. One of them was domestic violence.
“That’s when I decided that I would help people suffering from domestic violence for free.”
According to him, he helped people who could not afford to pay the lawyer’s fees.
