Here is a report on Kenyan attorney Martha Karua's effort to be permitted to appear for Dr Kizza Besigye in Uganda's court-martial. Will the Uganda Law Society give her a practice cerrtificate? Watch for proceedings in the East African Court of Justice.
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The Australian government is taking steps in response to a recent Royal Commission study of sex offences and suicide in the Defence Force. Details here. Excerpt:
Personnel found to have engaged in sexual and related offences including harassment, unwanted touching and “prejudicial” or obscene conduct – whether through Defence’s disciplinary or administrative processes – will need to demonstrate why they too should not be discharged.
Those facing mandatory discharge would be able to challenge the ruling in a formal process triggered by the conviction.
Another odd situation is roiling Manila. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV faces military arrest and proceedings under the Articles of War for two long-ago mutinies he is said to have been involved in when he was a junior naval officer. President Rodrigo Duterte has withdrawn the Senator's legislative immunity because he allegedly failed to formally apply for amnesty and admit guilt. The facts are disputed, so stay tiuned. This one's highly political and complicated.
That's when the Supreme Court of Pakistan's Constitutional Bench will get around to deciding the Intra-Court Appeals in the case challenging the military trial of civilians. Having trouble following the ins-and-outs? Here's a helpful, albeit discouraging, Express Tribune article on the current state of affairs. Excerpt:
The court's inability to decide the case has sparked speculation, highlighting an internal conflict within the SC as the primary cause for this delay.
The legal tactics employed by the petitioners seem to have failed to grease the wheels of justice and expedite the resolution of the case.
In December last year, a larger bench led by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood had suspended the SC judgement and allowed the trial of civilians in military courts without announcement of judgement.
After a couple of months of hearing, Justice Sardar Tariq recused himself after objections were raised against Justice Masood. Subsequently, a larger bench led by Justice Aminuddin Khan was formed to hear the matter. The same bench also conditionally allowed the trial of civilians in military courts.
More than a dozen individuals were released after completing their sentence. The bench again referred the matter to the SC committee for the constitution of a new larger bench.
When the bench started hearing, the summer vacation started and the case was adjourned for an indefinite period. Now the bench is expected to resume the hearing soon.
Clear?
