PHK salutes judicial independence
Isaiah Morewagae | Thursday May 8, 2014 14:52
Addressing the ongoing Commonwealth Law Ministers’ meeting on Tuesday, Kedikilwe said the executive, legislature and judiciary must work together towards securing the fundamental principles that safeguard the rule of law.
“Adherence to and respect for the rule of law seeks to recognise and uphold the supremacy of the law,” he said, adding that, “This punctuates the tenet that no one is above the law. Respect of the rule of law will ensure economic and human development, as well as effective and accountable governance.”
Kedikilwe urged participants to pledge to protect and uphold the principles of the rule of law. He added that each member state should make this an attainable goal.
“The goal may appear to be at the deepest end of the horizon, but it is achievable as long as the limited resources at our disposal are garnered and marshalled for the purpose. Most importantly, strong political will is a major pre-requisite for the achievement of such noble goals,” Kedikilwe said.
Kedikilwe further said the ideal in achieving the proper protection of human rights for individual states, is to establish institutions, which help the state design and promote programmes geared towards the protection of human rights.
He called on member states to ensure that they ratify international human rights instruments and also disseminate and domesticate them to ensure that their citizens gain the maximum intended benefit.
The meeting, which brought together 53 countries, began on Monday and will end on Friday.