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Bhutan's First formal course in
legal studies was inaugurated on February 8 with a solemn
traditional ceremony attended by the 12 selected graduates
and a number of dignitaries representing the royal government.
"The launching of the programme
is an event of historic proportions," said chief
guest Dasho Khandu Wangchuk, Secretary of the Royal
Civil Service Commission, "It is yet another milestone
in our march to the future. It demonstrates the commitment
of the royal government under the wise and benevolent
and able leadership of His Majesty to uphold justice
for all the Kingdom".
Commending the Judiciary for the timely
delivery of justice, Dasho Khandu Wangchuk said that
Bhutan could be proud of its judiciary and legal system.
"Our citizens have easy access to courts of law
and litigation is relatively inexpensive," he pointed
out, "We are free from the evils of complex legal
procedures which often obstruct the rule of law and
dispensation of justice to the people at large."
Dasho Khandu Wangchuk also assured
the gathering of the royal government's support in institutional
building and human resources development of the judiciary
including the professional training of legal personnel
outside the country.
Chief Justice, Dasho Sonam Tobgye said
that, in an era of increasing professionalism in every
field, the course was the "clarion call" of
professionalism in legal affairs.
"It is my hope that those fortunate
enough to be selected for the course will be able to
assume the burden of 'the golden yoke' while keeping
the essence of 'the silken knot' at heart," said
the Chief Justice.
The elements of the course, said the
Chief Justice, drew deeply from the traditional Bhutanese
legal system. He described it as being "woven into
the tapestry of the past to advance into future"
and said that it was intended to present to the future
legal officers the legal concepts and principles in
the context of Bhutanese culture, national language
and society and the laws derived from them.
The course includes a comprehensive
range of topics. Besides national and international
law and an in depth introduction to the Bhutanese legal
system, it includes Dzongkha, national development policies,
legal and social etiquette, and exposure to film, music,
and art.
Also addressing the gathering, the
Director General of the Royal Institute of Management,
Dasho Meghraj Gurung, traced the development of the
judicial system in Bhutan since the first set of laws
were codified by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1651.
The Zhabdrung, he said, had laid the
foundation of the judicial system, based on the essence
of Buddhist philosophy and spirituality. It had then
played a vital role in forging the Bhutanese system
of values, beliefs, symbols, and aesthetics in every
kind of art and, in brief, in everything that constitutes
Bhutanese culture.
Dasho Meghraj Gurung outlined the growth
of the judicial system, through King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck's
codification of the law and enactment of the Thrimshung
Chhenpo (supreme laws) in 1959 and his separation of
the judiciary from the executive and legislative branches
of the government in 1961, to His Majesty the King's
strengthening of the judiciary with the enactment of
numerous important laws in recent years.
The two-part inauguration was held
at the High Court and the Royal Institute of Management
where the course will be conducted.
Playing, an active role in the cermony,
recruits performed the Chhoepar Joepa. The entire gathering
joined in the Moen lam Phuentsogpa Zhugdrey.
One of the students said that, besides
the prestige of being the first batch to do a legal
course of this kind it was an opportunity to study the
ancient laws, philosophy and literature of the Kingdom.
The course, he said, was the beginning of the important
responsibility to uphold the national legal system.
Tashi Chenzom, the only woman on the
course, said she believed that the programme would not
only equip them for their legal responsibilities, but
the emphasis on Dzongkha would prepare them to be more
effective in Bhutanese society.
The faculty includes Lam Choechong
and Dasho Sangay Dorji of the High Court as lecturers
on law, literature, and philosophy while instructors
from outside the country will teach the other aspects
of the course. Guest speakers will be invited to talk
on a wide variety of subjects.
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