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Judicial Independence In Post-Conflict Iraq: Establishing The Rule Of Law In An Islamic Constitutional Democracy, David Pimentel, Brian Anderson Jan 2013

Judicial Independence In Post-Conflict Iraq: Establishing The Rule Of Law In An Islamic Constitutional Democracy, David Pimentel, Brian Anderson

David Pimentel

Contemporary Iraq is facing the full range of challenges that come with post-conflict transitional justice, including “paving the road toward peace and reconciliation” and establishing a functional state, characterized by the Rule of Law. Prospects for the establishment of an independent judiciary in Iraq are obstructed by a number of factors, including (1) how to apply the explicit recognition of the law of Islam in the Iraqi Constitution, (2) the inability to pass legislation on the Federal Courts of Iraq, leaving several provisions of the Iraqi Constitution unimplemented, and other critical elements of judicial independence unaddressed, including provisions for tenure, …


Judicial Independence At The Crossroads: Grappling With Ideology And History In The New Nepali Constitution, David Pimentel Jan 2011

Judicial Independence At The Crossroads: Grappling With Ideology And History In The New Nepali Constitution, David Pimentel

David Pimentel

Nepal is struggling to produce a new constitution, the blueprint for a new post-monarchic state, and major conflicts over the structure of the new judiciary have arisen. The rhetoric of the debate is deceiving, however. All sides argue for the same things, including judicial independence and accountability, but profound ideological differences vest those words with very different meanings for each party. Resolving these issues will require a mutual appreciation of the ideological differences and of the historical roots of the judiciary’s problems. The path forward begins with recognition that the answer does not necessarily lie in “international best practices” or …


Constitutional Concepts For The Rule Of Law: A Vision For The Post-Monarchy Judiciary In Nepal, David Pimentel Jan 2010

Constitutional Concepts For The Rule Of Law: A Vision For The Post-Monarchy Judiciary In Nepal, David Pimentel

David Pimentel

A new government has taken power in Nepal. Intent on replacing the monarchical Hindu state with a secular democracy, they have promised a new Constitution. Although they are operating under an Interim Constitution at the moment, it remains to be seen what the post-monarchy judiciary will look like. Those involved in the drafting should pay careful attention to how specific provisions for court governance will impact both institutional and decisional judicial independence. The Interim Constitution calls for a judicial council, but not a sufficiently independent one. The Interim Constitution also allows broad exercise of emergency powers, depriving the courts of …