This eighth edition of the C IJL annual report Attacks on Justice reveals that there are significant structural defects in the legal and judicial systems in many countries that lead to the improper administration of justice and contribute to impunity.
During 1996 at least 572 jurists suffered reprisals in 49 countries for carrying out their professional duties. Of these, 26 were killed, 2 disappeared, 97 were prosecuted, arrested, detained or even tortured, 32 physically attacked, 91 verbally threatened and 324 professionally obstructed and/or sanctioned and 86 of them were anonymous. This represents a 25% increase over the number of cases we reported last year.
The C IJL also received reports of an additional 349 jurists who suffered reprisals in 1996 but was unable to conclusively confirm those reports. So many countries in the world are thus far from appreciating the need to respect the independence of the judiciary and protect judges and lawyers from harassment and intimidation.
attacks on justice-january 1996 february 1997-publication-1997-eng (full text in English, PDF)