NAN-H-92
Summit
By Isaac Aregbesola
Abuja, Oct. 11, 2017(NAN)The Commonwealth says it will unveil a package of legislative reform tools at its Law Ministers Summit in Nassau, The Bahamas from Oct. 16 to Oct. 18, the Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland says
A statement by Communications Officer, Commonwealth Secretariat, London, Ms Natricia Duncan, made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Abuja quoted Scotland as saying this in London on Wednesday.
Scotland said that the organisation’s new legislative drafting handbook and law reform guide would help governments effectively respond to contemporary challenges such as terrorism, climate change, child marriage and cybercrime.
“The Commonwealth has long provided core assistance to offices of attorneys-general in the areas of legislative drafting, law revision and law reform.
“These new flagship resources will guide lawyers and policy-makers through the law reform process and provide practical advice on approaches to legislation drafting,” said the Secretary-General.
She said that the tools were perfect companions for the recently launched Commonwealth Office for Civil and Criminal Justice Reform which provides technical assistance and an online platform with best practice guides.
She said that the tools also provided model laws, standards, templates and legal insight on climate change, human rights and a range of other issues.
According to her, law ministers will deliberate on legal frameworks to support the smooth operation of relief efforts during and after natural disasters.
She said that this include the accountability of relief agencies and the import, export and transit of emergency items.
“This is a critical meeting and a critical subject because we are now in this new epoch where nature seems to have intensified its rebellion against our treatment of the planet.
“Recent monster storms Irma and Maria, which barrelled through the Caribbean one after the other at record speeds present a new kind of humanitarian challenge and require a new kind of response.
“These scenes of devastation at the hands of nature are everywhere in our Commonwealth bringing vulnerable, least developed countries to their knees.
“We need to make sure that when people with no shelter, no food, no running water are trying to regain some semblance of normalcy, the law facilitates swift, targeted aid,” said Scotland.
According to her, the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting is expected to attract law ministers, attorneys-general and senior officials from across the Commonwealth’s 52 member countries.
She said that the theme of this year’s meeting is: “Strengthening the Rule of Law Through Technology“.
Director of the Commonwealth’s Governance and Peace Directorate, Katalaina Sapolu, said: “Law in light of its close relationship with social and economic policies, needs to keep pace with advancements in technology and society.
“We can use emerging technologies to advance the rule of law by simplifying manual procedures and boosting accuracy in criminal investigations and forensics.”
Sapolu said tackling cross-border and organised crimes as well as cybercrime would be high on the agenda.
He said that the Commonwealth Secretariat would also update ministers on the development of a new app that would facilitate cooperation within the Commonwealth against trans-border and organised crimes. (NAN)
IAA/GY
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Edited by Grace Yussuf