President threatens Constitutional Court
The ICJ today expressed concern at remarks reportedly made by the President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni, which could be viewed as an attempt to intimidate the Ugandan judiciary.
The Rule of Law in Africa
Address of Dato’ Param Cumaraswamy, former UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers and ICJ Commissioner to the World Conference of Barristers & Advocates 2004, Cape Town, South Africa, 12-14 April 2004.
SouthAfrica-ruleoflaw-event-2004 (full text, PDF)
ICJ demands fair hearings for judges accused of corruption
The ICJ urges the Government of Kenya to ensure that all proceedings against judges and magistrates who have been accused of corruption are conducted according to fair trial standards.
ICJ alarmed at blanket prohibition on lawyers’ freedom of expression
In a letter addressed to President Museveni of Uganda, the ICJ expressed its concern at the Law Council’s intention to enforce a 1977 regulation that essentially aims to abrogate freedom of expression for lawyers.
Zimbabwe: charges against Judge Blackie dropped
The ICJ welcomed the Prosecution’s decision to withdraw charges against Fergus Blackie (photo), a retired Zimbabwean judge accused of corruption and obstructing the due administration of justice.
Former Judge Blackie was arrested in September 2002, two months after his retirement, and spent three nights in prison.
The former judge was facing charges after he acquitted a white woman accused of theft and sentenced the Justice Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, to a three-month term of imprisonment for contempt of court. According to various national and international observers, the charges against Blackie, who is white, were politically and racially motivated. He was also seen as being too “independent”.
“The ICJ hopes this decision will be the beginning of full respect for human rights and the rule of law in Zimbabwe”, said Linda Besharaty-Movaed, Legal Advisor of the ICJ. “We believe this is just a small step in the right direction, however, more changes are needed. With the ongoing trials of Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the opposition party, who is accused of treason, and Judge Paradza, who is charged with corruption, the eyes of the international community will more than ever be on Zimbabwe”.
The ICJ sent a trial observer to monitor the trial of former Judge Blackie, however, charges were withdrawn prior to the hearing. The ICJ is also monitoring the trials of Morgan Tsvangirai and Judge Paradza.
Zimbabwe-charges judge-press release-2003-eng (full text, PDF)
US and Malawi: rule of law compromised in fight against terrorism
The ICJ condemned joint Malawi/US action to deport five suspects from Malawi in the name of terrorism and in violation of a court order.
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