OSCE meeting on judicial systems and human rights opens in Warsaw

WARSAW, 23 April 2002 - More than 150 government representatives and international experts from Europe, Central Asia and North America gathered in Warsaw today to discuss how the protection of human rights can be improved through judicial reform. The three-day meeting is organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

"This meeting provides a good opportunity to take stock of where the OSCE countries stand in reforming their judicial systems", said ODIHR Director Ambassador Gérard Stoudmann. "Functioning judiciaries, on which both individuals and legal entities can rely, are not only of greatest importance for a democratic society and the protection of human rights, but also a precondition for economic stability."

Remarkable progress has been made during the past decade in a number of states, in particular in Central Europe, while other countries still stand at the beginning of the judicial reform process. Among the key challenges faced by many OSCE countries are lack of independence and integrity of the judiciary, limited access to justice for minorities, the poor, and other vulnerable groups, as well as the difficult task of rebuilding judicial systems following conflict situations. The meeting will discuss these challenges, which affect transition countries and longstanding democracies alike, in the context of democratic reform, stability and economic development.