R ULE
OF
L AW U PDATE
December 21, 2011 Activities
A publication of the International Institute for the Rule of Law (IIRL) based in Baghdad, Iraq
with support from IIRL Inc. in Los Angeles, California
[See IIRL on the web at www.iirl.org]
Iraqi Committee for Judicial
Independence (ICJI) Study Tour to
Evaluate Status of Judicial
Independence in the Region
The Iraqi Committee for Judicial Independence
organized a study tour to Beirut to evaluate the
status of judicial independence in the region as part
of the program “Strengthening Civil Society Support
for Judicial Independence,” funded by the National
Endowment for Democracy in cooperation with the
International Institute for the Rule of Law (IIRL).
The study tour lasted two days with a delegation
consisting of ten members, including a number of
prominent judicial and legal figures, in addition to
several members of active civil society
organizations, as described below.
Delegation Members
1. Judge Fathi Al-Jawari, Chief Advisor to the
Office of the Presidency of the Republic
2. Dr. Nawir Al-Zubaidi, Inspector General for
the Property Claims Commission
3. Judge Salim Al-Mousowi, Higher Judicial
Council
4. Judge Abed Alsattar Barykdar, Official
Spokesman for the Higher Judicial Council
5. Mr. Ahmed Al-Ma’ini, Assitant Counselor
in the State Shura Council
6. Attorney Fa’izah Al-Mashat, Member of the
Iraqi Committee for Judicial Independence
(ICJI)
7. Sermid Dean Al-Sarraf,JD, Esq., President
of the International Institute for the Rule of
Law (IIRL)
8. Mr. Jallal Al-Ka’bi, Journalist for the Sabah
Newspaper
9. Laila Al-Mahmoud, Vice President of the
International Institute for the Rule of Law
(IIRL)
10. Ms. Sondous Al-Taie, Activist and IIRL
Office Manager
The delegation met with His Excellency Dr. Ghalib
Ghanim, Former President of the Judicial Council, the
first President of the Courts of Cassation (emeritus),
and President of the Francophone Courts. During the
meeting His Excellency praised the work of the Iraqi
Council and the importance of its work in
strengthening judicial independence in Iraq. He
emphasized during his speech the urgent need for the
presence of civil society organizations and
committees such as the Iraqi Committee for work in
Lebanon to mobilize public opinion and advocating
for the attainment of the independence of the
Lebanese judiciary, similar to the Iraqi judiciary.
Page 2
Rule of Law Update
The Iraqi Committee delegation gathered in support
of an independent judiciary with the President of the
Lebanese Bar, Mr. Nihad Jabr, in addition to the
former President of the Bar. The exchange of opinions
took place during the meeting around the importance
of the role of the Bar Association in supporting
judicial independence. Mr. Jabr emphasized that the
Bar Association in Beirut plays a large and important
role in addressing the violations that affect judicial
independence, and statements have been repeatedly
published condemning the interference of other
authorities with the Lebanese judiciary.
On Tuesday, December 20, 2011, members of the
Committee met with His Excellency Judge Awni Ramadan,
President of the Court of Audit. During the meeting, Judge
Ramadan praised the efforts of the Council in support of
strengthening judicial independence, expressing the
readiness of his institution in extending the bonds of
cooperation and assistance for the ICJI’s efforts and
achievement of its goals, as well as the work to establish a
counterpart with a committee comprised of different
segments of Lebanese society to support and strengthen
judicial independence in Lebanon.
Rule of Law Update
Page 3
The Iraqi Committee for Judicial
Independence delegation met during its two
days in Beirut with a number of
representatives of non-governmental
organizations to discuss the reality of judicial
independence from the perspective of civil
society and the level of communication
between the judiciary and society, as well as
the level of public awareness for the
importance of an independent judicial
authority and meeting the organizations that
support it.
ICJI met with Mr. Roger Al-Khouri,
Executive Director of the Arab Center for the
Advancement of Rule of Law and Integrity,
Mr. Amin Ni’mah, President of the Lebanese
Network for Development, and Mr. Malkar
Al-Khouri, Assistant Managing Director for
the Institute of Human Rights. The two sides
exchanged experiences, opinions, and
thoughts regarding the strengthening of
cooperation between regional organizations
concerned with the rule of law, judicial
independence, and human rights in the region.
Board
Board of Directors
IIRL
IIRL’s Mission
Sermid AlAl-Sarraf, Chair
Acknowledge and support the long and
respected judicial tradition in Iraq and
work to ensure its continued independence
Layla AlAl-Mahmood, Deputy Chair
Judge Fathi AlAl-Jawari (ret.)
Attorney Faiza Mashaat
Ms. Sinan Ghanem
Bolster the Rule of Law in its various
manifestations, in particular during this
critical transitional period
Ms. Ghada Ghazwan
IIRL Inc.
Build internal capacity among Iraqis
themselves with courses, conferences and
symposia in order to develop internal
safeguards to Rule of Law based legislation
and institutions
Professor Michael Bazyler, Chair
Judge Judith Chirlin, (ret.) Vice Chair
Mr. Ted
Ted Budge, CFO
Mr. Sermid AlAl-Sarraf, CEO
Mr. Ali AlAl-Sarraf, Secretary
Buttress efforts to write a constitution
which reflects the aspirations of the Iraqi
people and guarantees the Rule of Law
===========
OFFICES
ICJI
In Iraq:
IIRL
Phone: +964-7901-914-070
•
In July 2005, "The National Group for the Protection of
Human Rights in the Constitution” was formed in Istanbul. It
consisted of representatives from numerous Iraqi institutions
such as: the Presidency Council, the General Secretariat of the
Council of Ministers, the Higher Judicial Council, Ministry of
Interior, Ministry of Women's Affairs, Ministry of Human
Rights, the faculties of law, media and civil society
organizations
•
In May 2006, "The Iraqi Committee for Judicial
Independence” emerged from the National Group after the
success of the International Institute for the Rule of Law to
secure funding for the Committee's activities from various
donors. ICJI is now one of the functions of the International
Institute and IIRL is responsible for its activities.
•
ICJI consists of 12 members who are legal experts, academics,
journalists and civil society activists.
In the U.S.:
IIRL Inc.
3255 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1688
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Phone:
213-384-8500
Fax:
213-384-0661
Online Donations are welcome!
Go to www.iirl.org. Select the
Online Legal Translation link
and go to the “About IIRL”
page.
We’re on the Web!
Press the “Donation” button to
show your support
Visit us at:
www.iirl.org