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THIRTY Bhutanese jabmis (paralegals)
completed training on “the international human rights
standards in the administration of justice in criminal
procedures” in Thimphu, this week.
The training, a part of an umbrella
project signed between the Office of the UN High Commissioner
for Human Rights in Geneva and the Bhutanese government,
“aimed to respond to the Bhutanese government’s objectives
to build the national capacity to deal with human rights
issues and promote an understanding of human rights
as defined by international instruments”, said Mr. Hamid
Gaham of the UNHCR office in Geneva, who conducted the
course.
“This exercise will ensure that the
provisions of the domestic law will be in conformity
with those international laws and treaties applicable
to Bhutan,” he told Kuensel.
The project includes training courses
for key groups like judges, paralegals, bench clerks,
law enforcers, and government officials responsible
for drafting reports under the human rights treaties,
Mr. Gaham added.
The course for the jabmis addressed
several issues: rule of law in the administration of
justice, with emphasis on the independence of the judiciary
with respect to human rights; human rights during criminal
investigations arrest and detention; elements of a fair
trial with standards for the protection of prisoners
and administration of juvenile justice; and the rights
of minorities, non-nationals, and refugees, role of
jabmis in judiciary, rights of women and protection
and redress for victims of crime and abuses of power.
Mr. Gaham said that he was very impressed
with the jabmis and their understanding of the Bhutanese
law.
Opening the training programme on October
7 the Chief Justice, Dasho Sonam Tobgye, said that it
was an honour to make the noble tradition of legal counsel
more responsive to the changing times.
“The jabmis must conduct the responsibilities
entrusted to them in a manner befitting their position,”
he said. “They must represent their clients with utmost
diligence, integrity, and professionalism.”
The value of human rights are an integral
part of Bhutanese tradition and they are fully incorporated
in our laws,” he told Kuensel. “The training for the
paralegals has helped to highlight this fact to important
proponents of our legal system.”
The second part of the training, on
human rights and law enforcement, will be attended by
RBP personnel from Monday, October 13.
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