2009 Press Releases
Publication of Report on Independence of the Judiciary in Pakistan, 2009
07.09.2009
The International Bar Association, Human Rights Institute, report A Long March to Justice: A report on judicial independence and integrity in Pakistan was released on September 4th.
07.09.2009
The International Bar Association, Human Rights Institute, report A Long March to Justice: A report on judicial independence and integrity in Pakistan was released on September 4th.
The Report outlines flawed judicial appointment and inspection procedures; corruption; political intereference; shortcomings of court infrastructure; and a lack of training for legal professionals as major hindrances to justice and the rule of law.
Dr Siobhan Mullally, Faculty of Law, UCC, co-author of the report, was a member of a high level delegation from the IBA that visited Pakistan in March / April this year. This visit came as hundreds of lawyers were concluding the 'Long March' which called for the reinstatement of the Chief Justice and the restoration of the judiciary. The international delegation met with a number of stakeholders, including the Chief Justice, lawyers, judges, politicians, NGO representatives and other officials from across the country. Meetings were held in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi. as part of the fact finding mission.
The report concludes that a historical lack of commitment to fundamental rights and the rule of law is hindering Pakistan’s ability to reintroduce judicial independence, despite the reinstatement of the Chief Justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Funding for this investigation was provided by the Open Society Institute. For further information contact s.mullally@ucc.ie
Picture: Dr Siobhán Mullally
1126MMcS
Dr Siobhan Mullally, Faculty of Law, UCC, co-author of the report, was a member of a high level delegation from the IBA that visited Pakistan in March / April this year. This visit came as hundreds of lawyers were concluding the 'Long March' which called for the reinstatement of the Chief Justice and the restoration of the judiciary. The international delegation met with a number of stakeholders, including the Chief Justice, lawyers, judges, politicians, NGO representatives and other officials from across the country. Meetings were held in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi. as part of the fact finding mission.
The report concludes that a historical lack of commitment to fundamental rights and the rule of law is hindering Pakistan’s ability to reintroduce judicial independence, despite the reinstatement of the Chief Justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Funding for this investigation was provided by the Open Society Institute. For further information contact s.mullally@ucc.ie
Picture: Dr Siobhán Mullally
1126MMcS