Independence of the Judiciary: European standards | CIJL

The Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers (CIJL)
The Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers (CIJL)

Head of ICJ’s Centre for the Independence of Judges & Lawyers, Matt Pollard, today moderated a side event on “Securing the independence and effectiveness of the Judiciary: European initiatives and perspectives in global context” at the UN Human Rights Council.

At the event, representatives of the Council of Europe highlighted the work of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) and the Consultative Council of European Judges (CCJE). The UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Ms Gabriela Knaul (from Brazil) reflected on the global relevance of European initiatives and institutions during her six years in the mandate.

Matt Pollard discussed the impact of Council of Europe standards and jurisprudence, both within Europe and in terms of global influence, from the perspective of civil society, as well as highlighting that standards and jurisprudence developed in other regions also present a rich source that European institutions should do more to draw on in their own work.

The interactive Panel discussion included extensive questions and comments from state delegations and civil society representatives in attendance at the event.

Panelists:

  • Mr. Georg Stawa, President of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice, Council of Europe
  • Mr. Bart van Lierop, President of the Consultative Council of European Judges
  • Mrs. Gabriela Knaul, UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers
  • Mr. Matt Pollard, Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, International Commission of Jurists (moderator)

This side event was organised by the Permanent Delegation of the Council of Europe to the UN Office in Geneva, with the co-sponsorship of Australia, Botswana, Hungary, Mexico as the main sponsors of the resolution on the independence of judges and lawyers.

 

Source: 17.06.2015. http://www.icj.org/independence-of-the-judiciary-european-standards/. Republished with permission.