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