Aug 19, 2008 | News
ICJ regional ASEAN colloquium reaffirms independence of judges and lawyers.
“Ensuring independence and accountability of judges, lawyers and prosecutors is of fundamental importance in strengthening justice and the rule of law in the ASEAN region. The ICJ is delighted to host this high-level regional event in cooperation with the Office of the President of the Supreme Court of Thailand,” said Roger Normand, ICJ Asia-Pacific Director.
The high-level panel members exchanged views and comparative national experience on the application of international principles. The panel included judges from the Supreme Court and Administrative Court of Thailand, the Supreme Courts of the Philippines and Lao PDR, and representatives of the Office of the Attorney-General of Thailand and Lawyers Council of Thailand. The proceedings were observed by over 70 Thai judges, legal academics and other representatives of the Thai legal community.
Thailand-ICJ regional ASEAN colloquium reaffirms independence of judges and lawyers-Press releases-2008 (full text, PDF)
Aug 15, 2008
The Malaysian government frequently asserts that the judiciary is free from external control, pressure or influence.
Aug 15, 2008
The aftermath of the May 2000 coup continues to affect political life in Fiji.
Following elections in 2001, a dispute over the composition of the Cabinet under the constitution’s power-sharing rules, which was submitted to the High Court, remains unresolved.
Within the High Court, a major crisis has been raging between judges, mainly as a consequence of the Chief Justice’s involvement in advising the illegal military government following the 2000 coup. Access to justice is a problem, with Fijians experiencing long delays, especially in Lautoka. The death penalty was abolished in 2002.
Fiji-Attacks on Justice 2005-Publications-2008 (full text, PDF)
Aug 15, 2008
Against a backdrop of inter-communal violence and the worsening of law and order in the region, the police have reportedly been carrying out abuses, including against detainees, while enjoying impunity.
While the Supreme Court and National Court are generally considered to be independent of the government, local and village courts have often been subject to severe pressure, resulting in justice being severely compromised.
Prosecutors, who are underpaid, are open to corruption, which continues to be of concern generally in political and public bodies.
Papua New Guinea-Attacks on Justice-Publication-2008 (full text, PDF)
Jul 11, 2008
The Republic of Maldives suffers from a weak judicial system which functions as a branch of the executive.
