Judicial independence and integrity are essential for building a reliable judicial system in which the people of Myanmar can trust, Chief Justice U Htun Htun Oo told a seminar in Nay Pyi Taw was told this week.
In an opening speech on February 10 at the two-day seminar, Chief Justice U Htun Htun Oo also said that judicial independence and integrity were essential for a judicial system that can uphold the rule of law.
The seminar, attended by more than 40 judges and senior court administrators from throughout Myanmar, was hosted by the Office of the Supreme Court in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program and the International Commission of Jurists.
Discussion at the seminar focussed on the ways in which Myanmar’s judicial system can continue to develop its functional independence and deliver justice for all, the ICJ said in a news release issued on February 12.
Speakers at the seminar included the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Renata Lok-Dessallien, who said that in addition to the importance of a fair legal framework, a trained judiciary and a well-functioning court system, “the other half of the equation is from the bottom up: it is people’s perceptions of the professionalism, integrity and fairness of the system.”
The release said the UNDP and ICJ were willing to continue working with Myanmar’s judiciary for the long term on the issues of judicial independence and justice for all.
