…independence of the judiciary major focus at Commonwealth judges confab

TOP jurists around the world are meeting here from today to brainstorm ways to promote better understanding of judicial independence issues amongst officers and to explore the approach to those issues in different parts of the Commonwealth.

Acting President and First Vice-President, Moses Nagamootoo, will be delivering the feature address at the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association conference billed for the Marriott Hotel under the theme “The Judiciary as Guarantors of the rule of law.”
It is the first time Guyana will be hosting the conference. The conference will also feature President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Anthony Carmona, who will give the keynote address on Tuesday as well as President of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Sir Charles Michael Dennis Byron. Conference organisers said that some 267 delegates around the world will attend the event, including a delegation from Canada.
Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday, Chancellor of Judiciary Justice Carl Singh said that the topics that have been identified on the conference agenda have direct relevance to matters that are being pursued by the Guyana Government presently. Those topics include matters such as domestic violence, indigenous peoples’ rights and environmental law and sustainable development. Justice Singh said the outcomes of discussions on these topics will be important as a learning and resource tool for countries that will be participating. Other topics to be discussed are: providing sufficient resources for the courts and judiciary as a fundamental constitutional obligation; upholding the rule of law in the courtroom; balancing anti-terrorism with people’s human rights and capital punishment- to abolish or not to abolish.
Justice Singh has indicated that the conference has attracted a distinguished array of speakers on a diverse spread of topics on the Rule of Law, the provision of resources for the Courts, anti-terrorism legislation and human rights, Environmental Law and Sustainable development.
In an earlier statement last week, the Supreme Court said that the conference which begins at 08:45hrs has recorded intended participation from judges and magistrates coming from a wide spread of countries across the Commonwealth, from as far as Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Canada and the Caribbean region. The aim of the conference is to promote better understanding of judicial independence issues amongst judicial officers of all ranks and from all parts of the Commonwealth, and to explore the approach to those issues in different parts of the Commonwealth. In addition, it is intended that amongst the magistrates and judges of the Commonwealth, greater awareness would be promoted of international treaties and laws relating to the development and access to justice; and to consider the practical application of that body of law. This engagement will also enhance networking within the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association.
Founded in 1970, the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges Association is registered as a charitable organisation in the United Kingdom. It is a Company Limited by Guarantee and not having a Share Capital. The Association is governed by a General Assembly of its members which meets not less frequently than every fourth year. It has been the normal practice of the Association for the General Assembly of Members to be held during the week of the Triennial Conference. There is an elected Council upon which sit three representatives from each of six regions: The Caribbean; East, Central and Southern Africa; West Africa; the Indian Ocean; Atlantic and Mediterranean and the Pacific Ocean.