ISLAMABAD, Dec 1: Jurists and chief justices of superior courts from Asian and Pacific countries have called for independent, accountable and effective judiciaries in the region and beyond. “We reaffirm the core principles ... [and] are mindful of the power of transparency in engendering public trust and confidence in the judiciary; and are cognizant too that unleashing the power of technology to enhance the functioning of judicial systems can reinforce transparency, accountability, efficiency, effectiveness, integrity and access,” said a declaration issued at the end of an international conference and showcase on judicial reforms, which ended in Manila on Wednesday.

According to a message received here on Thursday, the conference was attended by 300 delegates, including chief justices of superior courts from 45 countries.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry headed Pakistan’s delegation to the conference.

The conference expressed commitment to consolidate the potential for judicial knowledge-sharing and provide a vehicle for future collaboration among and for the benefit of, judiciaries in the Asia-Pacific region.

“We reaffirm the core principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Beijing Declaration on Independence of the judiciary,...” the declaration said.