Regional meeting with representatives of the judiciary to strengthen the rule of law and justice reform in Southern Africa Midrand, South Africa

INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

What: Regional Meeting with Representatives of the Judiciary from Southern Africa

Who: Organized by the Department of Political Affairs of the African Union

Commission in collaboration with the Pan African Parliament (PAP) and

International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance

(International IDEA), SADC States, and German Cooperation (GIZ)

When: 30th November — 2nd December 2015

Where: Pan African Parliament Headquarters, Conference Hall

Objective: The meeting aims to conduct a dialogue with the SADC members of the

Judiciary towards Strengthening Rule of Law and promoting Justice Reform

Expected Outcomes:

Increased awareness by SADC and respective Member States on the norms, pronouncements, decisions and instruments adopted by the AU on promoting good governance and democracy through adherence to the rule of law and constitutionalism; Commitment by SADC and respective Member States to the norms, pronouncements, decisions and instruments adopted by the AU on promoting good governance and democracy through adherence to the rule of law and constitutionalism; Creation of a document with best practices on how to create a strong, effective, impartial and independent judiciary; Exploration of how to create a peer review mechanism and process which allows Member States to work collaboratively to promote the rule of law and justice reform in the region;

Participants: SADC States representatives of the Judiciary, Representatives of

the Bar, Representatives of civil society, RECs and AU organs

Background:

The meeting with the representatives of the judiciary as a key stakeholder in the promotion of constitutionalism and rule of law is being organised within the framework of the African Governance Architecture (AGA) as the overall political and institutional framework, aimed at connecting, empowering, and building capacities and appropriate responses to the challenges of governance in Africa, for African Union Organs and Institutions. Adherence to the Rule of Law is essential to a thriving democracy where governments and citizens are equal and accountable under the law. This meeting is being organized by the AGA Cluster on Constitutionalism and Rule of Law as part of its mandate to promote constitutionalism and Rule of Law in Africa.

The first regional meeting is being done in the SADC region. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) made up of 15 countries, aims to further regional economic cooperation and integration as well as political and security cooperation among the 15 Southern African states. It aims to do this through building institutions to promote economic development where human rights, democracy and the rule of law are observed. This objective is in line with Article 2(2) of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), which encourages the promotion and adherence to the principles of rule of law premised upon the respect for, and the supremacy of, the Constitution and constitutional order.

This meeting will enable the judiciary present to provide their recommendations to the African Governance Platform Cluster on Constitutionalism and Rule of Law, with regards to capacity building of the relevant stakeholders.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY ON THE 30TH OF NOVEMBER AT 10:00 AM AND THE CLOSING ON THE 2ND OF DECEMBER AT 1:00 PM