Spotlight: Lessons from Africa on how prosecutors worldwide can strengthen the rule of law
Nearly 500 of the world’s top prosecutors gathered at the 18th International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) annual conference in Moscow.
Published on 18 September 2013 in
Impact
Nearly 500 of the world’s top prosecutors gathered at the 18th International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) annual conference in Moscow from 8–11 September to consider the role of prosecutors in upholding the rule of law.
ISS acting executive director Anton du Plessis shared African perspectives with this unique international gathering that included over 100 directors of public prosecutions and attorneys general. Drawing on lessons from ISS training and policy advice on counter-terrorism and transnational crimes in more than 20 African countries, du Plessis spoke to delegates about why prosecutors working on politically sensitive cases need immense courage, especially to withstand pressure from their own governments. The consequences for the rule of law, should they fail, are grave. He also cautioned that recent progress in the field of counter-terrorism remains precarious. As events unfold in Syria, Libya, and the Sahel, prosecutors should try to prevent the shift from criminal justice to military and intelligence solutions to terrorism.
As one of the only African organisations represented among the few think tanks at the conference, ISS provided an authoritative perspective that was widely welcomed. Invitations were received from several directors of public prosecutions in Africa and beyond for briefings on the specialised training and technical assistance that ISS provides. Based on past successful collaborations with IAP, ISS was also invited to play a key role in the next regional African IAP conference being hosted by Zambia in March 2014. In order to align African and global developments, the African Prosecutors Association – another key partner of the ISS – will be drawn into the Zambia conference.
For more information contact:
Anton du Plessis, Managing Director, ISS Pretoria: [email protected]
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