Photo By Spc. Josh Lecappelain | Leadership from Multi- National Division – Center joins Iraqi local leaders and...... read more read more
By Spc. Josh LeCappelain
Multi-National Division – Center
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – "The people's good is the highest law," said Marcus Tullius Cicero, famous Roman orator.
The Constitution of Iraq offered a welcome change for Iraqi citizens long oppressed during the tyrannical reign of Saddam Hussein. Instead of a dictatorship, the people would now have, as stated in the Iraqi constitution, a "democratic, federal, representative republic" and a "multiethnic, multi-religious and multi-sect country."
Since its inception Oct. 15, 2005, the constitution has created a new uniformity. No longer do Iraqis have to worry about different rules for different citizens. The constitution established an environment of equality: the people's good.
"It is functioning now," said Cpt. Tyler Heimann, Multi-National Division – Center rule of law attorney. "Judges in our area are hearing cases. We need to have judges, lawyers, policemen – the whole judicial system – doing what they can to put the guilty into jail."
For the rule of law in Iraq to continue strengthening, the separate branches of the Iraqi government need to remain proficient and vigilant in enforcement of rules, stability and functionality.
"Judges did not have a whole lot of power [during Hussein's reign]," said Heimann. "There was not an independent, functioning judiciary that could implement justice."
The judicial branch of the Iraqi government has seen many recent successes in continuing modernization and increased efficiency.
One such success throughout the MND-C area of operation is the distribution of laptops to judges, along with CD-ROMS filled with the entire Iraqi legal code, stretching back to 1917, a program began in the summer of 2007 as a joint venture by the United Nations, U.S. State Department and MND-C.
These tools, along with additional training, helped judges begin to work through the country's backlog of criminal cases. Prior to the distribution of these computers, judges had to search through thick books and arduously track down important facts needed – a chore that made accessing relevant information difficult and sometimes impossible.
Following distribution of the laptops, classes were also provided to the judges to teach them how to maximize efficiency using the CD-ROMs.
"We've pretty much gotten a laptop to every judge in our area," added Heimann.
Handing out laptops and making judge's workloads easier is but a small portion of the work put into rebuilding the Iraqi judicial system by MND-C.
In 2005, judges fled Salman Pak, as al-Qaida in Iraq rampantly threatened the safety and stability of the area. One judge, Judge Hassan, was shot in the face and severely disfigured; he required life-saving surgery and numerous reconstructive procedures.
Iraqis in the area had to travel 70 miles roundtrip to go the nearest operating courthouse, located in Karada in downtown Baghdad. For many, this trip was difficult to make, given the instability in the region.
The combined efforts of the Iraqi security forces, local citizens and coalition forces forced AQI out of the Mada'in. Soon, their efforts established a new government center in the area. The once volatile region now has a dedicated facility that houses the courthouse, police, fire and emergency medical services.
"I've seen a big difference on the streets," said Judge Razak, the investigative judge for the Mada'in Qada. "There are lots of people moving around on the streets. It looks better. Consider the judges back."
Judge Hassan, still needing additional surgeries, returned to the area in March – his first trip back since the attack.
"I won't ever back down to the terrorists who did this to me," he said. "I remain a judge and ready to assist with Salman Pak's renaissance."
The stories of success repeat throughout MND-C's area of operation. In Iskandariyah, the previous courthouse was damaged by an electric fire in January. While the court continued, a new building became an urgent need to the area.
Workers broke ground on a new courthouse in late May, a step toward promoting law and order, as well as democracy in the area, according to Chief Justice Medhat al-Mahmoud, chief justice of the Higher Judicial Council.
The nahia council initiated the project, which was co-developed by local and national Iraqi government. The entire courthouse project is being financed with Iraqi dinars; coalition forces are contributing $30,000 of Commander's Emergency Response Program funds for furnishings and supplies for the new court, which will sit at the center of the North Babil Province.
"We are building new courthouses in southern provinces," said Heimann, a native of O'Fallon, Ill., "We are there to support the execution of these projects. [But our goal is for] Iraqis to take the reins and start running their judicial system, without any help from us."
| Date Taken: | 07.29.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 07.29.2008 14:18 |
| Story ID: | 21957 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 60 |
| Downloads: | 37 |
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