Triumph of conscience The US administration unilateral militarism ´ exemplified by the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles commonly known as drones ´ received another international snub on Feb 17 when the European Parliament massively voted against the use of what US officials describe as the 'weapon of the future.' An overwhelming majority of Members of the European (MEPs) - 534 to 49 ´ supported a resolution that demanded European Union Member States not to 'perpetrate unlawful targeted killings or facilitate such killings by other states' and called on them to 'oppose and ban practices of extra judicial targeted killings.' 'Drone strikes by a State on the territory of another State without the consent of the latter constitute a violation of international law and of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of that country,' the resolution said while pointing to the deaths of 'thousands of civilians reportedly killed or seriously injured by drone strikes. It also admitted though that these figures are difficult to estimate, owing to lack of transparency and obstacles to effective investigation.[1]' The resolution added that 'drone strike policies have been documented as causing considerable harm to the daily lives of ordinary civilians in the countries concerned, including deep anxiety and psychological trauma, disruption of economic and social activities and reduced access to education among affected communities.' Chair of the Parliament sub-committee on human rights Barbara Lochbihler said that, 'The European Parliament has today raised serious concerns with the use of military drones and the deaths of thousands of civilians resulting from drone strikes. MEPs have delivered a strong rebuke to the practice of targeted aerial killings outside a declared war zone, as well as the use of armed drones in war situations outside of the international legal framework.' 'The EU needs to address the legal, ethical and security challenges posed by the increasing use of...

A conference 'Significance of Independent Prosecution Service' in the province of the Punjab was held on Thursday, February 27, 2014, at Avari Hotel, Lahore, as part of GIZ-CRSS-PPD advocacy campaign for the Support to the Punjab Prosecution Service (SPPS) project. Special Assistant to Punjab Chief Minister on Prosecution Rana Maqbool, Secretary Prosecution Nadeem Irshad Kiyani, Senior Journalist Mujeebur Rehman Shami, Dean Pakistan Law College Humayun Ehsan, District and Sessions Judge, Lahore, Hamid Shah and CRSS Executive Director Imtiaz Gul spoke on the importance of an independently-working prosecution service in criminal justice system. The conference was attended by the GIZ representatives, prosecutors, lawyers, law students, civil society representatives and journalists. The Secretary Prosecution gave an overview of the Prosecution Department and its achievements since its creation in 2006. Humayun Ehsan gave a critical academic assessment of the prosecution service while pointing out weaknesses in the system and suggesting radical reforms for the benefit of the people. Mujeebur Rehman Shami spoke on the role of media and stressed the need for improving the system by building the capacity of the prosecutors. Hamid Shah shared his experience as a judge and spoke on the role of a prosecutor in the criminal justice system. Rana Maqbool informed the participants about the provincial government efforts to build an independent prosecution service.

A conference 'Significance of Independent Prosecution Service' in the province of the Punjab was held on Thursday, February 27, 2014, at Avari Hotel, Lahore, as part of GIZ-CRSS-PPD advocacy campaign for the Support to the Punjab Prosecution Service (SPPS) project. Special Assistant to Punjab Chief Minister on Prosecution Rana Maqbool, Secretary Prosecution Nadeem Irshad Kiyani, Senior Journalist Mujeebur Rehman Shami, Dean Pakistan Law College Humayun Ehsan, District and Sessions Judge, Lahore, Hamid Shah and CRSS Executive Director Imtiaz Gul spoke on the importance of an independently-working prosecution service in criminal justice system. The conference was attended by the GIZ representatives, prosecutors, lawyers, law students, civil society representatives and journalists. The Secretary Prosecution gave an overview of the Prosecution Department and its achievements since its creation in 2006. Humayun Ehsan gave a critical academic assessment of the prosecution service while pointing out weaknesses in the system and suggesting radical reforms for the benefit of the people. Mujeebur Rehman Shami spoke on the role of media and stressed the need for improving the system by building the capacity of the prosecutors. Hamid Shah shared his experience as a judge and spoke on the role of a prosecutor in the criminal justice system. Rana Maqbool informed the participants about the provincial government efforts to build an independent prosecution service.

An Australian delegation led by Major General Craig Orme visited the Center for Research & Security Studies (CRSS) and exchanged views with CRSS Executive Director Imtiaz Gul on issues related to terrorism and radicalization on Wednesday, February 26, 2014.

To engage various stakeholders including medical experts, academics, students, law experts and media in an advocacy campaign on the need of genuine reforms, Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) organized its second seminar in D I Khan on February 22– 2014. The seminar aimed at highlighting the impact of Frontier Crime Regulations (FCR) on the political, socio-economic and security situation of residents of FATA and therefore, focusing on the challenges, need for reforms and way forward. Distinguished speakers of the seminar included Sangi Marjan (Ex. Political Agent), Sailab Mahsud (senior Journalist), Dr. Naseem Saba (Gynecologist), Khan Wali (Lawyer) and Mirza Jan (Professor). The speakers talked about FCR which was imposed in 1901 with the purpose to enslave tribesmen and the implications it had throughout the region. While introducing Frontier Crime Regulations (FCR), Mr. Mirza jan explained its implementation as procedural and preventive law which controls law and order situation in the region. He highlighted the ¿unwritten laws– as the similarity between the British and the tribal people of Pakistan. The unfortunate part is that British took interest of their people as a priority whereas in the Tribal areas of Pakistan, there is insensitivity towards the needs and desires of the common people. This ongoing situation has been misused brusquely by the bureaucracy. Furthermore, all participants agreed that FCR, termed as ¿black law– by Supreme Court of Pakistan, has been a major barrier in progress and development in the region. Therefore, the need for abolishing FCR was highly focused throughout the seminar. It was also acknowledged that the abolishment cannot be done overnight and the solution put forward in this regard was to achieve it through advocacy and campaign. The seminar came to an end with a resolution passed by a majority of participants expressing the abolishment of FCR and the emplacement of Constitution of 1973 throughout...

To engage various stakeholders including medical experts, academics, students, law experts and media in an advocacy campaign on the need of genuine reforms, Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) organized its second seminar in D I Khan on February 22– 2014. The seminar aimed at highlighting the impact of Frontier Crime Regulations (FCR) on the political, socio-economic and security situation of residents of FATA and therefore, focusing on the challenges, need for reforms and way forward. Distinguished speakers of the seminar included Sangi Marjan (Ex. Political Agent), Sailab Mahsud (senior Journalist), Dr. Naseem Saba (Gynecologist), Khan Wali (Lawyer) and Mirza Jan (Professor). The speakers talked about FCR which was imposed in 1901 with the purpose to enslave tribesmen and the implications it had throughout the region. While introducing Frontier Crime Regulations (FCR), Mr. Mirza jan explained its implementation as procedural and preventive law which controls law and order situation in the region. He highlighted the ¿unwritten laws– as the similarity between the British and the tribal people of Pakistan. The unfortunate part is that British took interest of their people as a priority whereas in the Tribal areas of Pakistan, there is insensitivity towards the needs and desires of the common people. This ongoing situation has been misused brusquely by the bureaucracy. Furthermore, all participants agreed that FCR, termed as ¿black law– by Supreme Court of Pakistan, has been a major barrier in progress and development in the region. Therefore, the need for abolishing FCR was highly focused throughout the seminar. It was also acknowledged that the abolishment cannot be done overnight and the solution put forward in this regard was to achieve it through advocacy and campaign. The seminar came to an end with a resolution passed by a majority of participants expressing the abolishment of FCR and the emplacement of Constitution of 1973 throughout...

To engage various stakeholders including medical experts, academics, students, law experts and media in an advocacy campaign on the need of genuine reforms, Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) organized its second seminar in D I Khan on February 22– 2014. The seminar aimed at highlighting the impact of Frontier Crime Regulations (FCR) on the political, socio-economic and security situation of residents of FATA and therefore, focusing on the challenges, need for reforms and way forward. Distinguished speakers of the seminar included Sangi Marjan (Ex. Political Agent), Sailab Mahsud (senior Journalist), Dr. Naseem Saba (Gynecologist), Khan Wali (Lawyer) and Mirza Jan (Professor). The speakers talked about FCR which was imposed in 1901 with the purpose to enslave tribesmen and the implications it had throughout the region. While introducing Frontier Crime Regulations (FCR), Mr. Mirza jan explained its implementation as procedural and preventive law which controls law and order situation in the region. He highlighted the ¿unwritten laws– as the similarity between the British and the tribal people of Pakistan. The unfortunate part is that British took interest of their people as a priority whereas in the Tribal areas of Pakistan, there is insensitivity towards the needs and desires of the common people. This ongoing situation has been misused brusquely by the bureaucracy. Furthermore, all participants agreed that FCR, termed as ¿black law– by Supreme Court of Pakistan, has been a major barrier in progress and development in the region. Therefore, the need for abolishing FCR was highly focused throughout the seminar. It was also acknowledged that the abolishment cannot be done overnight and the solution put forward in this regard was to achieve it through advocacy and campaign. The seminar came to an end with a resolution passed by a majority of participants expressing the abolishment of FCR and the emplacement of Constitution of 1973 throughout...