East African court of Justice Arusha 3rd May 2016. The President of the East African Court of Justice Hon. Justice Dr. Emmanuel UGIRASHEBUJA attended an International Judicial Colloquium to discuss the Creation of the Global Judicial Institute for the Environment and to deliberate on the World Declaration on Environmental Rule of Law.
The 9 days International Judicial Colloquium and World Environmental Law Congress were held on 22nd -30th in Goiania and in Rio de Janeiro respectively. The Colloquium and the Congress brought together various highly and internationally Environmental Law Professors , national, regional and international Judges, Legislators, Prosecutors , Ministers responsible for Environment, Ambassadors and other selected Environmental law experts from over 85 countries across the globe . The aim of the colloquium was to launch and hold the first meeting of the Global Judicial Institute for the Environment as a new autonomous international organization to work with national, regional and international courts and the national judicial institutes to assist in advancing their capacity to handle environmental protection cases. The Congress whose aim was to discuss, draft and adopt the World Declaration on Environmental Rule of Law was held on 27-30 April, 2016..
The President of the Court was part of the team of pioneers to create the Global Judicial Institute for the Environment and thus the latter was founded on 29th April 2016. His Lordship also participated in the First meeting of the Global Judicial Institute for the Environment that was held at the Supreme Court of Rio de Janeiro to discuss on the proposed structure, work plan and programs of the Institute and to elect initial governing body representative of all regions of the World and all legal systems.
His Lordship Hon. Justice Dr. Emmanuel UGIRASHEBUJA was among the key speakers during the roundtable where he presented a paper titled “Judges and Environmental Rule of Law,” that explored judicial innovations and developments in environmental law as well as the emerging principles adopted by judges around the world with regard to environmental matters. The roundtable discussions focused on innovative procedural rules for courts to ensure access to justice in environmental matters and highlighting specific examples and jurisprudence from courts around the world.
The congress outcome was very positive as it saw the adoption of the World declaration on Environmental law and this Congress was the First global gathering of its kind. It is important to also note that on 29th April 2016, the Global Judicial Institute for the environment was founded and held its first meeting.
The Congress therefore was a golden opportunity attended by a wide range of participants in national, regional and international practice to share their experiences, to learn from one another and debate on the future development of Environmental Rule of Law and access to justice in environmental matters. The conference was structured around small, facilitated workshops and presentations to allow participants to enter into practical discussions.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Yufnalis N. Okubo, Registrar
Email: yokubo@eachq.org
Owora Richard Othieno, Head of Department;
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs;
Tel: +255 784 835021; Email: othieno@eachq.org