Glaring And Widening Gap In Asia Justice
Date
1/31/2025 2:02:25 AM
(MENAFN- Asia Times)
The Asia-Pacific region is a dynamic hub of economic growth and human development. Infrastructure building is booming, life expectancy is increasing, poverty is declining, health care and education, albeit with some caveats, are improving.
By contrast, such impressive progress is lacking in many areas of governance, not least the rule of law and access to justice. The Asia-Pacific remains a region where millions of people are deprived of their rights to justice, where protracted incarceration without trial is common where the court systems often lack transparency, accountability and integrity.
Not everyone is equal in front of the law or a tribunal. In many Asia-Pacific countries, women face widespread discrimination, most acutely in Afghanistan. They do not have the same land property, or inheritance rights as men, they do not have equal access to courts, and rulings often disregard their claims and rights.
Similarly, marginalized and minority communities – such as indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and rural and displaced communities find access to justice to be a daunting challenge, especially in matters of civil justice. And many communities in conflict-ridden countries such as Myanmar are left without access to formal justice systems.
Justice is more than laws and courtrooms, it is the cornerstone of equity, dignity and resilience. It is an essential part of the social fabric and cohesion of communities. Akin to education and healthcare, justice is a public good that must be delivered to all.
When justice is denied, it is not only an individual who suffers-it is the very fabric of society that is affected. Injustice erodes public trust, destabilizes communities and perpetuates cycles of poverty and exclusion.
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