Judging democratic backlash
Date: Wednesday 22 August
Time: 12:30–13:30
Place: Bergen Resource Centre for International Development, Jekteviksbakken 31, Bergen
Many countries are currently experiencing a narrowing of democratic space. This frequently affects the court, both directly and indirectly. It often affects who are appointed (and not appointed) to the bench as well as the terms of their operation. Courts in some cases continue to serve a pro-democratic role, upholding rights and sanctioning violations – but they are also used by governments as part of their strategies to silence the opposition and ensure electoral victories. This roundtable forms part of a LawTransform project on Breaking BAD: Backlash against democracy in Africa and discusses the experiences of African courts in comparative perspective.
With Justice Lydia Mugambe, Daniel Brinks, Roberto Gargarella, Edge Kanyongolo, Fiona Shen-bayh, Svein Erik Helle, and Pilar Domingo.