The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) Kenya, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) with the partnership of the Judiciary of Seychelles are holding a four-day training workshop on counter- terrorism, international criminal justice and responding to transnational crimes.

The workshop was officially launched yesterday by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Fredrick Egonda-Ntende at the Palais de Justice auditorium in the presences of other magistrates and judges from Burundi, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa and Seychelles. The workshop will end on Saturday September 21.

The third training workshop will build upon achievements and related recommendations made from the previous two. The objectives are: to enhance the capacity of judicial officers in the region to respond appropriately to these crimes; discuss the practice of adjudicating terrorism, international and transnational cases and promote trust-building among judicial officers within the sub-region; promote international cooperation in the region in dealing with terrorism, international and transnational cases; discuss real-time issues that may arise during the prosecution of the offences relating to the crimes; contribute to enhancing awareness of legal processes, improving technical skills and learning from peers and experts in the field.

CJ Ntende said: “I wish to state that we are happy to host this event which is becoming an annual fixture on the calendar for judicial education in the east African region. This is no accident I believe given the threats – actual and perceived – that have materialised in our region for quite some time now. A significant number of these threats were the result of or associated with the breakdown of the Somali state. It is imperative that the ongoing pacification and nation-building efforts in relation to Somalia continue with the increased support of the international community.”

Seychelles has taken part in all the previous programmes which have been organised under the aegis of the East African Magistrates and Judges Association (EAMJA). 

“Much as we are not formally members of the association, perhaps the time has come for us to request for formal membership given our obvious ties in and with east Africa, both historical, cultural, and the interests we share with judiciaries in the region. I will definitely initiate contacts with EAMJA in this regard during or after this conference,” he added.

CJ Ntende also took the opportunity to give a geographical outlook of Seychelles for the benefit of his colleagues who are on their first visit here.

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