ISLAMABAD, August 16 2006: The International Judicial Conference has called upon the judiciary to ensure good governance, show zero tolerance to human trafficking and emphasized the need for evolving of an acceptable definition of terrorism. The recommendations of the conference were contained in a 23-point Islamabad Declaration adopted by the participants at the conclusion of their working sessions.
The chief justice read and signed the declaration on behalf of the delegates. A three-member committee headed by Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday, the Supreme Court of Pakistan judge, prepared the declaration. Other members of the committee were justices Tassaddaque Hussain Jillani and Nasirul Mulk from the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Justice Rana Bhagwandas presided over the session as the chairperson.
The chief justice said that the document would become a milestone for the future of the country, urged judiciary to ensure rule of law, accountability, protection of human rights and sustainable economic and social development. In order to foster the independence of judiciary, the declaration recommended that court system should be impartial and effective with full constitutional authority and the judges should individually and collectively resist influence from the government and other political considerations.
The declaration noted that corruption was a matter of immense concern for every country of the world and a strong judiciary can effectively curb the menace. It emphasized the need for recognition and protection of consumers’ rights as they are increasingly becoming vulnerable to abuse and that the developing countries should make effective legislations in this regards where consumers are most at risk.
The declaration called for the establishment of Human Rights Commission consisting of judges and members of bar and urged the bar to provide free legal services to the poor. It praised the role of media in dispensation of justice and called for comprehensive education policies that produce lawyers imbibed with impartiality, efficiency, competency and integrity.
The declaration said that it was desirable that international human rights norms find application in domestic laws of all countries. Recalling that judiciary is a powerful force to bring about social change, it called for steps to eliminate gender bias and ensuring rights of women including heritance, freedom of movement and employment. Earlier speaking on behalf of the foreign delegates, representatives from France, Eritrea, Fiji, Tajikistan, Brunei, India, Jordan, Bangladesh and Philippines said that the conference served as a useful forum for sharing their experiences, problems being faced by the judiciary and how to resolve them. They thanked the chief justice for making excellent arrangements for the moot.
Approximately 700 delegates, including 110 from 44 countries of the world participated in the conference. Over one hundred papers were read on 23 topics during its various working sessions.
Source: Daily Times
Date:8/16/2006
