Attacks on Justice 2005: Tunisia
Lawyers are frequently subjected to violence as a direct consequence of criticizing the Tunisian government.
Attacks on Justice 2005: Central African Republic
After a coup d’état in March 2003, General Bozizé established a transitional government until general elections to be held in March 2005.
A new Constitution was adopted by referendum in December 2004, following a September 2003 National Dialogue and the October 2003 creation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The judiciary is ineffective, unaccountable, corrupt and dependent on the executive. There is collusion between lawyers and judges, and a tribalization of the judiciary.
The High Council of the Magistracy malfunctions. The judicial system is slow, making access to justice ineffective. Impunity remains problematic as human rights violations are ongoing.
Central African Republic-attacks on justice-publications-2005 (full text, PDF)
Attacks on Justice 2005: Togo
Despite the principle of separation of powers and independence of the judiciary enshrined in the 1992 Constitution, most judges are under the control of the executive.
Attacks on Justice 2005: Democratic Republic of Congo
Despite political progress towards a democratic state based on the rule of law, ongoing violence has hampered the effectiveness of the judicial system.
A new Transitional Constitution providing for the independence of the judiciary was promulgated on 4 April 2003. However, the judiciary’s situation is still worrying, since impunity is the norm, and corruption and interference by the executive are widespread.
In 2003 and 2004, 1,700 magistrates were intermittently on strike demanding the effective independence of the judiciary. Attacks against lawyers have continued to occur regularly.
Democratic Republic of Congo-Attacks on Justice 2005-Publications-2008 (full text, PDF)
Attacks on Justice 2005: Sierra Leone
After the end of a devastating civil war which began in 1991, the task of rebuilding an effective judiciary in Sierra Leone started with a focus on its geographic extension.
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