Meetings at The Hague mark first international contact in 30 years

Twenty-eight Iraqi judges and Ministry of Justice officials are meeting with legal experts from around the world in the Netherlands May 5-6 as part of a training program and workshop on the Rule of Law.

According to a May 5 State Department media note, the Iraqis, who are participating in their first international gathering in over 30 years, will discuss the importance of the rule of law, the separation of powers, federalism, the role of the judiciary in securing fundamental rights, and specific challenges facing the Iraqi judiciary.

They are meeting with two U.S. Supreme Court justices, the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, and other legal experts and judges.

Following is the text of the media note:

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
May 5, 2004

NOTICE TO THE PRESS

Iraqi Judges Discussing Rule of Law With International Legal Experts in The Hague

Twenty-eight judges and Ministry of Justice officials are in The Hague, Netherlands May 5 and 6 to participate in a Rule of Law training program and workshop.

The Iraqi judges are meeting with legal experts from the United States, England and other countries to discuss the importance of rule of law to a healthy and open society, separation of powers and federalism, and the role of the judiciary in securing fundamental rights. The Iraqi judges will also discuss the unique challenges facing the Iraqi judiciary.

This trip is the first time in over 30 years that Iraqi judges have been able to participate in such an international gathering. A second trip is planned for September, when Iraqi judges will travel to Prague to meet with their East European counterparts, who ten years ago faced many of the same issues that the Iraqi judges face now.

International participants will include: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Lord Woolf, and other legal experts and judges.

Media wanting more information or to cover this workshop should contact:

Jess Baily 011.31.70.31.09.440 at the U.S. Embassy The Hague

Susan Phalen, Director, International Press Center, Office of Strategic Communications, CPA - Baghdad at 31-62-522-3569.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)