Photo By Staff Sgt. Aaron Thacker | An Iraqi soldier stands at the entrance to the new Union of Basra Court of Appeals in...... read more read more
BASRA – Hundreds of people turned out to celebrate the dedication of a new six-court regional courthouse of justice in Basra, Feb. 26.
The Union of Basra Court of Appeals was welcomed by Basra Governor Mohamad El Wa'eli, Iraqi Judiciary Commission Chairman Medhatt Al Mahmoud, Multi-National Division – South East Commander Maj. Gen. Andy Salmon, members of the Iraqi legal community, Iraqi security forces, other coalition members and local media.
"This courthouse will be a monument of justice," Mahmoud said. "Iraqi justice is very strong. It will not allow outside influences to keep it from serving justice."
The regional courthouse is a $10 million U.S. funded project expected to be operational in about 10 days. It is the highest court in the province and is expected to handle civil and criminal cases.
"I think this building is a reflection of the progress that the coalition and the Iraqis have made," said Capt. Charles Bronowski, Multi-National Corps – Iraq Judge Advocate. "Rule of law is one of the most important aspects of self governance."
The building took about one year to complete by Iraqi contractors with oversight by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In addition to courtrooms, the facility includes investigation rooms, legal offices, a conference room and training facilities for staff.
"This is a symbol of the establishment of the rule of law and an increase in the judicial capacity," Salmon said. "This is exactly what is required at this stage on the road from where we've been to where we've got to get to, which is a stable and peaceful Basra."
| Date Taken: | 02.26.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 02.27.2009 00:06 |
| Story ID: | 30509 |
| Location: | BASRA, IQ |
| Web Views: | 516 |
| Downloads: | 490 |
This work, Basra regional courthouse ready to serve justice, by SSG Aaron Thacker, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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