INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Prt Kirkuk: Newest Members of Kirkuk's Bar

Published: Fri 5 Feb 2010 01:43 AM
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RR RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDH RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #0299/01 0360143
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 050143Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6463
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000299
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR INL/I, NEA/I
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KJUS KCRM IZ
SUBJECT: PRT KIRKUK: NEWEST MEMBERS OF KIRKUK'S BAR
PARTICIPATE IN FIRST CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
1. This is a Kirkuk Provincial Reconstruction Team message.
2. (SBU) Summary: On January, 21 and 23, 2010, the Kirkuk
Jurist Union (KJU) hosted a successful two-day workshop on
practical skills for the legal practice in Iraq. The two-day
event also included a tour of Kirkuk's primary detention
center and a candid in-chamber discussion with Kirkuk Chief
Judge Awni about professional responsibility. The two day
event was part of the overall ROL strategy to enhance the
legal profession, encourage professional legal organizations
to develop continuing legal education programs, and expand
the capacity for the KJU to develop a self-sustaining
organization. End Summary.
KJU - Catalyst for Rule of Law in Kirkuk
----------------------------
3. (SBU) The Kirkuk Jurist Union (KJU) is a non-government
organization designed to assist members in the development of
the legal profession. Members pay approximately 3 USD
annually for dues that barely cover the expense for printing
their bar card. The KJU depends upon other NGOs for funding.
The organization has received funding in the past from the
PRT but those funds are no longer available. The KJU relies
on PRT funds to publish three periodicals that educated
lawyers, lay persons and the public at large on their legal
rights under the new Iraqi government. These publications
were distributed at all courthouses and other public venues
in Kirkuk province. In addition, the KJU offers assistance
in legal job placement, temporary financial aid, and sporadic
workshops for attorneys and law students. Much of the
organization's effectiveness is marginalized by its inability
to become a self-sustaining organization supported by its
members. The concept of organizational sustainment through
dues and continuing education seminars is one of the many
paradigm shifts the PRT Rule of Law Section's OPDAT Resident
Legal Advisor seeks to encourage with KJU.
4. (SBU) The workshop kicked off with a tour of Police
Headquarters' detention center. Detention center supervisor
Colonel Korsheed introduced the newest members of the Iraqi
bar to jailhouse procedures for visiting incarcerated
clients. The group of twenty-one attorneys, including nine
female attorneys, toured the male and female cell blocks as
well as the attorney-client lounge. Korsheed stressed to the
lawyers the importance of representing the accused and
advancing the rule of law in Iraq.
Chief Judge Discusses Professional Responsibility to New
Attorneys
----------------------------
5. (SBU) At Kirkuk's main courthouse, Chief Judge Awni opened
his chamber to the attorneys for a candid discussion about
the rule of law in Iraq and the important role lawyers play
in the process. Awni stressed to the nascent members of the
bar to embrace this enormous responsibility to society and
the rule of law. He explained lawyers should stand against
improper behavior such as tortured confessions and protecting
the right of the accused. The conversation also included
some practical steps such as the professional decorum in the
courtroom and proper communication with the court.
6. (SBU) The second day of the workshop introduced the new
attorneys to the fundamentals of practicing law. The
seminar's format was tailored toward the novice attorney's
initial foray into the court and the criminal system. All of
the presenters were experienced KJU officers in the
respective subject-matter areas of attorney-client
relationships, family law, civil and criminal law procedures.
Some of the specific legal procedures such as filing
Q Some of the specific legal procedures such as filing
emergency child support writs and the proper execution of a
search warrant drew some critical debate among the attorneys.
At the conclusion of the workshop the attorneys received six
hours of continuing legal education certificates and the
instructors obtained teaching credit certificates for the
commensurate amount.
Comment
-------
7. (SBU) While under enormous fiscal constraints, PRT was
able to facilitate the entire event without any major costs.
The second day venue was FOB Warrior's dining facility (DFAC)
VIP room. By having the lecture series at the DFAC, Iraqi
attorneys had a chance to experience an American style buffet
lunch. The KJU has not previously considered Continued Legal
Education and similar seminars to develop their usefulness
and credibility with the legal bar. However, the workshop,
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coupled with the student evaluations, should encourage the
non-governmental organization to see the value of such
programs for the legal profession and even to consider
financial support from their members. The KJU has already
begun discussing another CLE for the immediate future with
the PRT's Rule of Law Section.
HILL
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