World Press Freedom Day 2012 on 3rd May

As the Door of the World Press Freedom Day 2012 opens in few days time, it is also the time for Bhutanese media to reflect on what does Press Freedom mean to the Bhutanese Media.

In the statement by Joint Message by UN Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon and
UNESCO Director-General Ms Irina Bokova  on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day stated that ” Freedom of expression is one of our most precious rights” For Bhutan, the Nation known for Gross National Happiness, this statement if well upheld by Article 7(2) and 7(5). Constitution of Kingdom of Bhutan.  


The joint Statement further elaborates “We call on States, professional media and non-governmental  organizations everywhere to join forces with the United Nations to promote online and offline freedom of expression in accordance with internationally accepted
principles.” But this statements also under the accepted principles of the nations in the world.

Thus, while media shall enjoy complete freedom to express and right to information, they should also upheld interest of the nation and sovereignty. Their right to information and freedom of expression does not give the media the right to reflect individual opinion reflecting as the opinion of the rest of the people nor be driven by politically motivated expressions.

Therefore, on this important occasion, it is the responsibility of each and every media, the reporters, the editors and rest of the crew to reflect on their performance of the last one year.
It is also the day for media to sensitize the importance of role of media in strengthening this young democracy and its democratic values.
It is also the day for the media to become one the finest and most credible vehicle or tool that will corrupt corruption, promote values, preserve our pristine environment and conserve our culture and traditions.
In nut shell, this day is the day for the media not only to promote and fight for freedom of expression but also to look back on what they have done for the past one year and realize their mistake if any and build their credibility.

World Press Freedom Day 2012 on 3rd May

As the Door of the World Press Freedom Day 2012 opens in few days time, it is also the time for Bhutanese media to reflect on what does Press Freedom mean to the Bhutanese Media.

In the statement by Joint Message by UN Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon and

2nd Biannual Lawyers Conference of Bhutan

Over 80 lawyers from Office of the Attorney General, various ministries and agencies are taking part in the second Biannual Lawyers Conference being held in Paro from
yesterday.

Opening the Conference, the Hon'ble Attorney General, Dasho Phuntsho Wangdi said " This is one of the platforms were lawyers from different government agencies get an opportunity to share their views and also know each other better among the legal fraternity". He added that this year's Conference is different from the first Annual Lawyers Conference also held in Paro in 2010. To this, he said "because in this conference, eminent professors and experts from Queensland University of Technology, faculty of Law will presenting important tools and techniques required by the lawyers in their day to day functioning.


During the first day, the lawyers were briefed on the mediation skills, dealing with stress and elementising in the prosecution. The Conference will conclude on 14 April 2012.

The Conference is being organized by Office of the Attorney General. 

2nd Biannual Lawyers Conference of Bhutan

Over 80 lawyers from Office of the Attorney General, various ministries and agencies are taking part in the second Biannual Lawyers Conference being held in Paro from

The Mediation

As a small child, I have witnessed problems between my parents. I have seen the same between neighbors. As I grew older, I have witnessed such problems beyond the neighbor or in own family. The problems are everywhere. All I have seen them
going to a court or to local leader to solve the problem. I always thought that mediation is process where someone who knows the law should settle the cases even after completing my post-graduate in law. But I was wrong.

After almost three decades of my birth, I had the opportunity to learn how to solve these problems. I was not introduced not in the Bhutanese context instead to how a developed country like Australia does. Through the training period moved on, as usual I have argued with the professor when I see that some of the techniques or context which perfectly work in their country which may not work in Bhutan. I along with my many of colleagues from various agencies attended a three day training of the trainers.

The training was given by a renowned Professor Ms. Melind Shirley from Queensland University of Technology. I found the course quite comprehensive. Unlike, most of the trainings we have in Bhutan where most of the time is spent on theory, there were more practical sessions which  allowed us to learn the reality of mediation. Such session allowed me to learn on the use of mediation and how suitable such methods or techniques in our country.

With the completion of the ToT, I had the opportunity to practice my acquired knowledge over few days with another group of six participants. I felt more happy as I was asked to teach a group who were expert in these kind of field. Most of them were all young and professional lawyers. Instead of my teaching, I had the opportunity to learn from them. That was the greatest advantage I had which prepared me to be more professional in the furture.

Few of the observation I have seen and heard from my trainees were:

1.       The mediation process in Australia is quite different from Bhutanese day.

2.       Mediation in Australia more systematic and professional where the mediator is supposed to be a neutral unlike in Bhutan where mediator also decides for the parties.

3.       Although, I was trained that in Australia, the mediation is completely a informal, I have observed that to some extent, it also has courtroom style. This is because there are two basic rules which states that only party can talk while party should listen to them. There are also private sessions like in the court. Therefore, I was still not convinced that mediation is complete informal session.

In nutshell, Bhutanese mediation process may need some more systematization including framing of the code of ethics for the mediators and accreditation of by a competent authority.

  

The Mediation

As a small child, I have witnessed problems between my parents. I have seen the same between neighbors. As I grew older, I have witnessed such problems beyond the neighbor or in own family. The problems are everywhere. All I have seen them