Ireland says justice system key to growth
Ireland says a solid justice delivery system and rule of law encourage sustainable economic growth in a country.
Ireland Ambassador Áine Hearns said this in Lilongwe on Monday during the opening of a three-day Advocacy Training for Paralegals organised with support from Irish Rule of Law International under the Rule of Law Programme.
She said the training was structured to ensure that citizens, particularly the poor and marginalised, have access to a fair and just legal system, a goal shared by the governments of Malawi and Ireland.
Said Hearns: “Ireland’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights is a fundamental principle of our foreign policy. My government recognises that the enjoyment of all human rights is essential for development; and their realisation a manifestation of a well-functioning democracy.”
She said Irish Aid is proud to support the operation of the rule of law in Malawi because it as a very important element of its support for the Democratic Governance Sector.
In his remarks, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Samuel Tembenu decried what he called negligence among lawyers and paralegals when handling cases.
Said Tembenu: “Every lawyer graduating from law school should first go for training before they are unleashed on the public.”
He said it is high time paralegals and lawyers assisted in the promotion of rule of law and improved access to justice for the country’s citizens.
