Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Justice and secrecy: can Pakistan have both?

"The predominant fear among civil society groups is that the life of military courts might be extended beyond the current two years. But at the same time Pakistan’s civilian courts, including its Supreme Court, had been powerless in getting executive government to enforce their judgments. Now, the entire process is military controlled and carried out in complete secrecy, beginning with the appointment of military judges to the trial itself. Even death sentences are confirmed or commuted by the Chief of Army Staff, who moves with alacrity.

"In a country that has lost thousands in terrorism related crimes it seems that societal peace, not secrecy, is the main issue."

Former Pakistani diplomat  Sajjad Ashraf
writing here in the East Asia Forum
Posted by at

1 comment:

  1. James W. Weirick September 9, 2015 at 11:32 PM

    Justice and secrecy is difficult in any country. To a great extent these two concepts are inversely proportional. The U.S. has confronted these same issues with Military Commissions. The greater secrecy associated with the Military Commissions the legitimacy of the process was subject to greater scrutiny. - James Weirick

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