CALL TO ENSURE PROTECTION OF JUDGES, PARTICULARLY: WOMEN JUDGES IN AFGHANISTAN

Members of the Taliban militia marching on the streets of Kabul after seizing control of Afghanistan after the US withdrew its troops.

The UN Global Judicial Integrity Network (UNGJIN), is an international platform “of judges for judges” committed to strengthening the rule of law, judicial integrity and combating judicial corruption. The existence of the Rule of Law requires respect for human rights and an independent judiciary that is secured from any form of interference. This entails ensuring the physical protection of members of the judiciary. 

Having regard to the recent events in Afghanistan, we, the members of the Advisory Board of the UNGJIN express our deep concern over the escalating situation in Afghanistan and the possibility that the core values underpinning the work of our Network and the basic human rights of Afghan Judges would be violated.

We urge the international community to engage in efforts to safeguard the human rights of our Afghan judicial colleagues and, in particular, we call for urgent action to protect women judges whose safety and lives are at risk and who might need assistance in leaving the country. Women judges face an increased danger, not only due to their gender but also to the real risk of retaliation from the persons whom they have previously sentenced and who have been released from prison.

"It is of paramount importance that the achievements of women judges in Afghanistan in upholding the rule of law and access to justice, and the commitment and courage they have demonstrated over the years, be preserved and continued"

It is of paramount importance that the achievements of women judges in Afghanistan in upholding the rule of law and access to justice, and the commitment and courage they have demonstrated over the years, be preserved and continued. 

The Network has always been a forum to raise awareness about emerging challenges to judicial integrity and independence, and to provide support to judges in difficult times. In a situation of this gravity, we cannot be silent; we need to speak with one voice in support of our colleagues who need help. The international community cannot and must not abandon the women judges whose courageous efforts have contributed to securing and strengthening justice and the Rule of law in Afghanistan.

ADVISORY BOARD OF THE GLOBAL JUDICIAL INTEGRITY NETWORK

Hon. Adrian Saunders, President of the Caribbean Court of Justice
Hon. Dr. Hassan bin Lahdan Al Hassan Al Mohanadi, President of the Court of Cassation and the Supreme Judicial Council of the State of Qatar
Hon. Duro Sessa, President of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Croatia, and President of the Consultative Council of European Judges
Hon. Maria Thereza Moura, Justice of the Superior Court of Justice of Brazil
Hon. Zainun Ali, former Judge of the Federal Court of Malaysia
Dr. Nihal Jayawickrama, Coordinator and Rapporteur of the Judicial Integrity Group
Hon. Lynne Leitch, Justice of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Canada and Vice-President of the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association
Hon. Kashim Zannah, Chief Judge of the High Court of Justice of the State of Borno, Nigeria
Hon. Jose Igreja Matos, Judge of the Court of Appeal of Porto in Portugal and President of the European Association of Judges
Hon. Diego Garcia-Sayan, UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers and former President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights
Hon. Vanessa Ruiz, Senior Judge for the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia, USA, and former President of the International Association of Women Judges
Hon. Mathilda Twomey, Judge of the Court of Appeal of  Seychelles, and former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Seychelles