Category: In the Spotlight

In the Spotlight

King Felipe VI presides over the international tribute to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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King Felipe VI has highlighted Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s “example of service to the rule of law and the values ​​of freedom and equality that are inherent to it.” And added “her firm defense of the Constitution as the supreme norm, her constant attention to its proper interpretation, was always linked to her conviction that the Constitution also performs a fundamental political function: to be a true instrument of social integration, an inclusive framework, in which society is reflected, in which political pluralism is guaranteed, and in which hope for a better future is preserved”. His Majesty King Felipe VI believes, as Ginsburg did, “that only by attending to the legal and political meanings of the Constitution can the ultimate goals it pursues be achieved: citizen coexistence in peace, justice and freedom, and where Human Rights are respected with the upmost dignity and efficiency”.

Regarding His Majesty King Felipe VI, Javier Cremades, president of the World Jurist Association (WJA) and the World Law Foundation (WLF), has recognized that “he has given and continues to give an admirable example of what a true constitutional king should be, committed with the Constitution and proper functioning of our democratic system and with faithful performance of his crucial role as king of a parliamentary monarchy”.

These statements took place during the Madrid Opening Session organized by the World Jurist Association and the World Law Foundation. An international meeting of jurists that counted with the presence of the world’s legal elite and that served as prelude to the celebration of the World Law Congress Colombia 2021, which will be held on December 2 and 3, and as a continuation of the previous sessions that have been taking place since last July. Two sessions, spread over two days, which included the International Tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the international summit of Presidents.

In this session, Iván Duque, president of Colombia, also intervened, who telematically recognized that Colombia “is a state that protects human rights and that ensures protection, that seeks the objectivity of the law so that it is what defines the borders which no one can trample over the rights of others”. And insisted that “we must be able to understand the clamor of society when it seeks to claim rights and insist that these must be linked to the concept of peace.”

The event was attended by José Luis Martínez Almeida, mayor of Madrid, who praised the figure of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whom he described as “a giant of the law and the defense of gender equality.” He also stressed that “the legal norm and the law must govern and enable that desire that all democracies have for those who think differently to live together in common”. For her part, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, president of the Council of State, has praised the figure of Ginsburg, of whom she said that “she put her talent and intelligence at the service of a cause to which she dedicated her entire life: gender equality, and she did it with the law as her only tool”.

Patricia Lee Refo, president of the American Bar Association, celebrated these days in which “we gather to celebrate the attendance of legal heroes and face the challenges of justice and the rule of law, in addition to encouraging each other to fight for equitable justice”. José María Alonso, dean of the Madrid Bar Association, has also recognized the role of the president of the World Jurist Association “for having promoted the Spain Brand through the legal profession.”

As part of the international tribute to the late US Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the round table “Mother, jurist and myth: I met Ruth Bader Ginsburg” was held, which was attended by Jane Ginsburg, Professor of Law at Columbia University and daughter of the honoree, who highlighted the relevance of the medals of honor, hoping that “the presentation and recognition of the exceptional cases of the eight winners will contribute to the equality of the legal profession and also in others . Jane Ginsburg has assured, as her mother did, that “legislation does not always advance until society does”.

The round table “Equality and the rule of law: contributions from international tribunals” was also convened, being the panel that has brought together, for the first time in history, representatives of the most important supranational courts in the world. 

In his closing speech, Javier Cremades expressed his desire for “these days to serve as encouragement to those who fight every day to achieve justice and peace through law, and allow progress with efficiency, speed and intelligence in the understanding of the great transformations, challenges and opportunities posed by society”.

 

Barranquilla will host the World Law Congress Colombia 2021

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The International Summit on the Rule of Law held on July 6 at Casa de América with occasion of the Opening Session Madrid, organized by the World Jurist Association (WJA) and the World Law Foundation (WLF), has been the stage for the official presentation of the World Law Congress Colombia 2021.

 

The Congress will be held on December 2 and 3 in Barranquilla after reaching an agreement between both entities. The signing of the agreement was made effective with the joint signature of Javier Cremades, president of the WJA, and Jaime Pumarejo Heins, Mayor of Barranquilla. Pumarejo has described the host city as “welcoming, seeking reconciliation and understanding of its capacity to move forward.” He has acknowledged receiving the celebration of the World Congress of Law with “enormous illusion”, which, he states, “celebrates our democracy and our constitution.”

 

For his part, Luis Guillermo Plata, Colombian ambassador to Spain,  has assured “ to be a country that has orchestrated change in recent years and will respond well to the development of the Congress”. The country’s Minister of Justice, Wilson Ruiz Orejuela, president of the Organizing Committee in Colombia for this event, described the Congress as “a great challenge to which we will give the best of ourselves by making the participants’ stay the best”, and he recalled that the policy of Iván Duque, president of Colombia, “is that of a social state respectful of the law.”

 

Witness of the agreement reached, Arancha González Laya, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, has dedicated her speech to talk about the rule of law, institutions, and democracy, which she said are “the basis on which our countries are settled”. In this regard, she has specified that “we must be humble and recognize that these are only solid if we solidify them, and this is a responsibility that resides in the community that this Congress represents, because the builders of the rule of law are, in first place, us jurists”. Regarding the congress to be hosted by the city of Barranquilla in December, Laya has highlighted three ideas that she believes should be addressed: technology, gender equality and climate change.



International Summit on the Rule of Law

This second day of the Opening Session Madrid brought together presidents of supreme and constitutional courts from different countries, and prominent international jurists, who have debated current issues in different discussion panels: “Regulations related to COVID and its effect on citizens”, “5G: privacy and cybersecurity”, “The independence of the judiciary in Europe and America”, “The rule of law in Mexico”, “The evolution of the role of women in justice in the XXI century” and, finally, the Eisenhower Fellowships association presenting the First Amendment Award 2021.

 

The closing ceremony was carried out by Viviane Reding, vice president of the World Law Foundation, who was accompanied by Juan José González Rivas, President of the Constitutional Court of Spain, Juan Carlos Campo, Minister of Justice, Victoria Ortega Benito, president of the General Council of Spanish Lawyers, and Lucio Ghia, president of the WJA between 1995 and 1997, among others. 

 

The WLC in Germany: Rule of Law as a Universal Principle

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The World Jurist Association (WJA) celebrated the Opening Session Regensburg “Rule of Law as a Universal Principle” in which the conception and perception of this concept from different countries were analyzed and shared. Leading academic jurists from Germany, Slovakia, Japan, Peru and Romania gathered to give their vision of the Rule of Law.

 

Diego Solana, program coordinator of the World Law Congress Colombia 2021, opened the meeting stating that “the rule of law is the best safeguard against tyranny, dictatorship and arbitrariness”. As moderator of the debate, Rainer Arnold, professor at the University of Regensburg, acknowledged that “public authorities are bound to the rule of law, and a State can only be a real democracy if it is governed by the law”. He further stated that the rule of law “promotes constitutional justice and implies a universal value”, adding that “freedom, by nature, is linked to human dignity, and the restriction of freedoms must be an exception that requires legitimization”. 

 

For her part, Simina Tanasescu, professor at the University of Bucharest and judge of the Constitutional Court of Romania, referred to the citizens: “we must not forget that the rule of law does not only mean separation of powers, but above all it refers to the human being, their dignity and the fundamental rights they have”. She stressed that “as long as we have this as our main focus, we will be able to overcome the bad intentions against the rule of law”. 

 

On the balance of powers, César Landa, trustee of the World Law Foundation and professor at the Pontifical University of Peru, stressed the “need to exercise the control of powers between the government and the opposition” and explained the situation in his country: in Peru, “this control has shown the need for an update of the Constitution, given the exhaustion of its political and socioeconomic model, as shown by the four changes of president in five years”. He also pointed out that “democracy must exist with the support of law, and there are no rights without democracy”. 

 

Continuing with the independence of powers, Milan Kristof, référendaire at the Court of Justice of the European Union, pointed out that “the council of the judiciary can constitute a safeguard for legal independence, being independent of the legislature and also of the executive”. In this regard, he stressed that “when the Court of Justice finds a breach of obligations, the Member State of the European Union concerned must take the necessary measures to rectify the situation”.

 

Japanese professor Hiroshi OTSU, from the University of Meji – Tokyo, explained what is happening in Japan, where they are witnessing “the emergence of a new rule of law that involves a dialogue between the national and local legislative power, as well as between the regulatory authority and the regulated parties”. 

 

This was the fourteenth opening session of the upcoming World Law Congress. The in-person event will be held in Barranquilla, Colombia, on December 2 and 3. For in-person and online registration to the World Law Congress Colombia 2021 visit www.worldlawcongress.com.  

 

 

King Felipe VI presides over the international tribute to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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King Felipe VI has highlighted Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s “example of service to the rule of law and the values ​​of freedom and equality that are inherent to it.” And added “her firm defense of the Constitution as the supreme norm, her constant attention to its proper interpretation, was always linked to her conviction that the Constitution also performs a fundamental political function: to be a true instrument of social integration, an inclusive framework, in which society is reflected, in which political pluralism is guaranteed, and in which hope for a better future is preserved”. His Majesty King Felipe VI believes, as Ginsburg did, “that only by attending to the legal and political meanings of the Constitution can the ultimate goals it pursues be achieved: citizen coexistence in peace, justice and freedom, and where Human Rights are respected with the upmost dignity and efficiency”.

 

Regarding His Majesty King Felipe VI, Javier Cremades, president of the World Jurist Association (WJA) and the World Law Foundation (WLF), has recognized that “he has given and continues to give an admirable example of what a true constitutional king should be, committed with the Constitution and proper functioning of our democratic system and with faithful performance of his crucial role as king of a parliamentary monarchy”.

 

These statements took place during the Madrid Opening Session organized by the World Jurist Association and the World Law Foundation. An international meeting of jurists that counted with the presence of the world’s legal elite and that served as prelude to the celebration of the World Law Congress Colombia 2021, which will be held on December 2 and 3, and as a continuation of the previous sessions that have been taking place since last July. Two sessions, spread over two days, which included the International Tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the international summit of Presidents.

 

In this session, Iván Duque, president of Colombia, also intervened, who telematically recognized that Colombia “is a state that protects human rights and that ensures protection, that seeks the objectivity of the law so that it is what defines the borders which no one can trample over the rights of others”. And insisted that “we must be able to understand the clamor of society when it seeks to claim rights and insist that these must be linked to the concept of peace.”

 

The event was attended by José Luis Martínez Almeida, mayor of Madrid, who praised the figure of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whom he described as “a giant of the law and the defense of gender equality.” He also stressed that “the legal norm and the law must govern and enable that desire that all democracies have for those who think differently to live together in common”. For her part, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, president of the Council of State, has praised the figure of Ginsburg, of whom she said that “she put her talent and intelligence at the service of a cause to which she dedicated her entire life: gender equality, and she did it with the law as her only tool”.

 

Patricia Lee Refo, president of the American Bar Association, celebrated these days in which “we gather to celebrate the attendance of legal heroes and face the challenges of justice and the rule of law, in addition to encouraging each other to fight for equitable justice”. José María Alonso, dean of the Madrid Bar Association, has also recognized the role of the president of the World Jurist Association “for having promoted the Spain Brand through the legal profession.”

 

As part of the international tribute to the late US Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the round table “Mother, jurist and myth: I met Ruth Bader Ginsburg” was held, which was attended by Jane Ginsburg, Professor of Law at Columbia University and daughter of the honoree, who highlighted the relevance of the medals of honor, hoping that “the presentation and recognition of the exceptional cases of the eight winners will contribute to the equality of the legal profession and also in others . Jane Ginsburg has assured, as her mother did, that “legislation does not always advance until society does”.

 

The round table “Equality and the rule of law: contributions from international tribunals” was also convened, being the panel that has brought together, for the first time in history, representatives of the most important supranational courts in the world. 

 

In his closing speech, Javier Cremades expressed his desire for “these days to serve as encouragement to those who fight every day to achieve justice and peace through law, and allow progress with efficiency, speed and intelligence in the understanding of the great transformations, challenges and opportunities posed by society”.

Gillian Triggs awarded with the WJA Ruth Bader Ginsburg Medal of Honor

Madrid becomes, once again, the World Jurist capital

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The World Jurist Association (WJA) and the World Law Foundation (WLF) will once again position Madrid as the capital of law with the celebration, during July 5 and 6, of an international meeting of jurists that will be attended by the world elite of law.

These two days are included in the Madrid-Bogotá opening session as a prelude to the celebration of the World Law Congress Colombia 2021 and as a continuation of the previous sessions that have been held since last July and that will continue to be held until the celebration of the World Congress of Law in Colombia on December 2 and 3, 2021.

The acts of the first day will count with the presence of King Felipe VI of Spain and Iván Duque, President of Colombia. During this day, the international tribute to the recently deceased Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, for her commendable defense of gender equality and civil rights throughout her life are recognized.

For the World Jurist Association, Ginsburg has been a visionary and strategic leader in ensuring that equality, fairness and the rule of law are not left in the theoretical realm, but rather positively impact social institutions and the lives of people. The Judge was the first woman to receive the World Peace & Liberty Award, an award given by the WJA,  considered to be the Nobel Prize for Law. This recognition was previously received by King Felipe VI during the World Law Congress 2019, and was also awarded to Winston Churchill, René Cassin and Nelson Mandela.

As part of the tribute to the Justice, the tribute “Mother, jurist and myth: I knew Ruth Bader Ginsburg”, the round table “Equality and the Rule of Law: contributions from international tribunals”, a panel that will bring together representatives of the most important supranational courts in the world for the first time in history. Similarly, in association with Jane Ginsburg, Professor at Columbia and daughter of the honoree, the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Medals of Honor will be awarded to eight renowned women jurists who have promoted gender equality during their careers, this year’s winners being: Christine Lagarde, Gillian Triggs, Luz Ibáñez, Maite Oronoz, Navi Pillay, Rosario Silva Lapuerta, Sujata Manohar and Young Hye Kim.

During the second day, the International Summit on the Rule of Law will be held, which will house presidents of supreme and constitutional courts of different countries, and prominent international jurists, who will discuss current issues on various discussion panels: “COVID regulations and their effect on citizens”, “5G: privacy and cybersecurity”, “Rule of Law in the XXI century”, “Independence of the judiciary in Europe and the Americas”, “Rule of Law in Mexico  and “Fake News and the Seizure of Newspapers: El Nacional Case”.

In this framework, the World Law Congress 2021 will be officially presented, which will pave the way to Colombia as the world capital of law. In the words of Javier Cremades, president of the WJA and the WLF, “our objective is to promote awareness of the importance of the rule of law in society and that is why we will continue to hold these events, in order to transmit our premise”.

Photos from Opening Session Madrid – World Law Congress Colombia 2021

(July 5-6, 2021)

Opening Session Madrid, 5th of July

Opening Session Madrid, 6th of July

Sign the WJA Declaration on the Venezuelan Elections

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The World Jurist Association presented an expert declaration written by more than 1,000 legal professionals from different countries denouncing that the December 6, 2020 parliamentary elections in Venezuela lack the necessary guarantees to be considered valid elections under the international law . According to this legal analysis, the elections, which have not been recognized by either the European Union or the Organization of American States, will be null and void.

(You may sign the Declaration HERE )

With this initiative, the WJA seeks to warn the world’s public opinion about Nicolas Maduro’s attempts to elect a new National Assembly through a call that does not meet the minimum democratic requirements. Today, after five years of disregard for the Assembly by an illegitimate executive, the elections convened will be held amidst evident signs of lack of transparency, and harassment towards the few unwelcomed candidates for the government. The signatories call attention to the fact that the Supreme Court of Justice, in contravention of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, appointed the five directors of the National Electoral Council, thereby permitting them to modify the electoral laws at their discretion.

The accusation raised by the WJA bears the support of jurists of outstanding prestige and international recognition such as Álvaro Rodríguez Bereijo, President Emeritus of the Spanish Constitutional Court, and writer of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; Marie-Aimeé Peyron, President of the Paris Bar Association (2017-2019); Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Justice (2010-2014); Peter N. C. Umeadi, Professor and Justice Emeritus of the Anambra State Court, Nigeria; David Mills, Professor of Law at Stanford Law School; Augusto Trujillo, President of the Colombian Academy of Jurisprudence; and Katharina Miller, President of the European European Women Lawyers Association, among others. 

In like manner, Johann Kriegler, Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa until 2002, is a signatory to the document. Justice Kriegler was appointed in 1993 as Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, which conducted the first post-apartheid elections with real universal suffrage in his country. Nelson Mandela’s collaborator has stated, on the current Venezuelan process, that having seen how a dictatorship evolves towards democracy, today we are witnessing the steps taken by an old democracy towards the strengthening of a dictatorship. Kriegler is considered the world’s leading authority on electoral processes.

On the basis of the verified data and in the absence, in the upcoming Venezuelan elections, of the political and legal guarantees already outlined, which are necessary for an election to be regarded as free and democratic, the signatories of the Declaration hold that such elections are invalid and reject their celebration. Consequently, they hold that in order to guarantee the protection of human rights in the country, the legitimacy of the current Venezuelan National Assembly must be preserved until genuine free, inclusive and democratic elections are convened.

This declaration will be presented at the United Nations, the European Parliament and other International Institutions and Courts over the world to continue condemning this electoral fraud in Venezuela. Jurists from around the world are called to support the restoration of the Rule of Law in Venezuela. You may sign the Declaration HERE

READ THE WJA DECLARATION ON THE VENEZUELA ELECTIONS

To sign and support this Declaration CLICK HERE

LEA LA DECLARACIÓN DE LA WJA SOBRE LAS ELECCIONES VENEZUELA

Para firmar la Declaración CLIC HERE