Jul 11, 2008
In the considered period, several scandals concerning the illegal funding of political parties and corruption within the judiciary have been widely reported in the media, as have a number of cases of attacks on judges.
Early 2004 was marked by lawyers’ strikes protesting against both the conditions in which the justice system operates and the ‘Perben laws’, part of a controversial judicial reform programme. Increasingly, lawyers as well as judges are protesting about staff shortages in courts, inadequate premises and lengthy proceedings.
France-Attacks on Justice 2005-Publications-2008 (full text, PDF)
Jul 10, 2008
The independence of the judiciary in Colombia is seriously compromised, particularly within the Attorney General’s Office, where prosecutors are being pressured to comply with the policies of the government.
In addition, lawyers – especially human rights lawyers and defenders – are subjected to harassment, threats and persecution by the government, guerrilla and paramilitary groups, preventing them from discharging their professional duties in an independent manner.
The government has submitted several controversial proposals to Congress concerning reforms to the judiciary that undermine the role of the Constitutional Court (Corte Constitucional) and the Higher Judicial Council (Consejo Superior de la Judicatura) and could lead to the creation of a judiciary that is heavily accountable to the executive (Poder Ejecutivo).
The constant efforts of the government to push through radical legal and constitutional reforms not only undermine the independence of the judiciary but also create legal chaos.
Colombia-Attacks on Justice 2005-Publications-2008 (full text, PDF)
Jun 24, 2008 | News
The ICJ today expressed its concern at government attacks on the independence of the judiciary in relation to a case involving the Prime Minister, Mr Silvio Berlusconi.
In a letter to the President of the Senate, read out to the Senate last week, the Prime Minister alleged that a criminal prosecution against him had been initiated for political purposes by “extreme left magistrates”, and accused judges and prosecutors involved in the case of politicisation and bias.
Italy-ICJ calls for end to government interference with judicial independence-Press releases-2008-Eng (full text, PDF)
Italy-ICJ calls for end to government interference with judicial independence-Press releases-2008-Ita (full text in Italian, PDF)
May 19, 2008 | News
The ICJ expressed dismay at the Sri Lankan government’s complacent responses to mounting criticism of deteriorating human rights situation in the country.
May 13, 2008 | News
The ICJ urged the Government of Pakistan to promptly address the consequences of the rule of law crisis culminating in the 2007 state of emergency. Although the delegation of Pakistan engaged in dialogue about how to better ensure respect of human rights in a number of areas, it often denied the prevalence of major human rights concerns. Pakistan’s steps towards democracy including legislative amendments to improve human rights were welcomed. But the Council’s Working Group failed to offer guidance on how to progress issues relating to the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.
Pakistan-ICJ urges the Government of Pakistan-Press releases-2008 (full text, PDF)
