The NEW Roundtable, Inc.’s Post

Róisín Shortall TD recently made a compelling statement about the need for accountability in our institutions: “We need to get away with this thing of people policing themselves and investigating themselves, there has been too much of that. The general principle that 'Justice Delayed is Justice Denied' and too often we are seeing this. And this goes to the Heart of the Question of Trust.” This statement speaks directly to the core issue of transparency and fairness in how our institutions operate. When the same people or institutions that are accused of wrongdoing are the ones investigating themselves, the outcome is rarely impartial. This practice not only creates room for potential bias but also reinforces the perception that those in power are shielded from accountability. Róisín Shortall's words highlight a systemic flaw that needs urgent addressing if we are to rebuild public confidence in our institutions. The principle of 'Justice Delayed is Justice Denied' resonates deeply. It serves as a stark reminder that prolonged investigations or stalling tactics ultimately Deny people the Justice they deserve. Victims, who are already bearing the burden of their trauma, are often subjected to extended periods of uncertainty, leaving them without closure and with a feeling of powerlessness. This delay is not just a failure at the individual level, but a collective one that affects the entire society. When justice is continually postponed, it sends a message that the needs of ordinary people are secondary to the convenience of the powerful. This erosion of trust impacts every sector ~ whether it be healthcare, law enforcement, or government. Trust is the cornerstone of a functioning society. When people no longer trust their institutions to act fairly and impartially, the entire social fabric begins to unravel. Restoring this trust requires genuine reform. We must move towards systems where oversight is independent, and those responsible for investigating wrongdoings are not entangled with the institutions under scrutiny. To truly achieve justice, impartiality is key. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. Róisín Shortall's statement is a call to action ~ a reminder that trust can only be rebuilt through accountability, transparency, and timely justice. ~ #SerialKillerDoctors ~ Suzanne Crowe ~ @Stephen Donnelly ! ~ Simon Harris ~ Micheál Martin ~ Leo Varadkar ~ Health Service Executive ~ Department of Health - Ireland ~ Helen McEntee ~ Department of Justice ~ Colette Cowan ~ Bernard Gloster ~ @Paul Reid ! ~ The Bar of Ireland ~ Law Society of Ireland ~ Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) ~ ~ #SerialKillerDoctors ~ #OpenDisclosure ~ #PatientSafety ~ #GE24 ~ Fianna Fáil ~ Fine Gael ~

Part 3/3: Ladies and Gentlemen of the Court, Esteemed Colleagues, and Concerned Citizens, Promoting Critical Thinking As a leading advocate on this issue, my stance is clear: we must advocate for a society that values critical thinking over blind adherence to guidelines. By promoting reasoning and ethical decision-making, we enhance accountability, reduce unintended harm, and foster a culture of justice and compassion. This approach benefits not only individuals but also strengthens our communities by promoting fairness and empathy. Conclusion In conclusion, the future of our society depends on our ability to think critically and act ethically. By moving beyond rigid guidelines and embracing critical thinking, we can create a more just, equitable, and compassionate world. This shift will not only mitigate risks associated with blind adherence to rules but will also empower individuals to contribute positively to the collective well-being of society. Thank you. Reflecting Further on the Discussion: Upon deeper reflection, it is also important to consider the root causes behind criminal acts, which guidelines often overlook. Many criminal behaviors stem from socio-economic, psychological, and environmental factors that rigid guidelines fail to address adequately. Effective justice reform must focus on understanding these underlying issues and integrating holistic, rehabilitative approaches rather than solely punitive measures. Furthermore, the psychological and societal impacts of adhering strictly to guidelines should be considered. This adherence can erode empathy and stifle human judgment, reducing complex decisions to mere procedural compliance. Additionally, systemic biases embedded within guidelines can perpetuate inequalities, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities and failing to address the broader social factors contributing to criminal behavior. Educational systems must prioritize critical thinking to foster innovation, creativity, and ethical decision-making. Without this focus, we risk perpetuating cycles of conformity and stifling the ability to question and improve upon existing norms and systems. Final Reflection: Through our conversation, I have discovered the critical importance of prioritizing reasoning and critical thinking over blind adherence to guidelines. This realization highlights the necessity for individuals to engage their reasoning abilities to navigate complex ethical landscapes, make informed decisions, and foster a society rooted in justice, empathy, and accountability. Thank you for your attention and consideration. #CriticalThinkingInLaw #EthicalDecisionMaking #JusticeOverGuidelines #AccountabilityInSociety #LegalEthics #RethinkingGuidelines #EmpowermentThroughReason #CulturalShiftInLaw #EducationalReform #SocietalImpactOfLaw

Celebrating a Legal Win for DEI Initiatives! A recent class-action lawsuit claiming racial discrimination in a grant program for Black business owners has been dismissed. Filed by white commercial trucker Nathan Roberts against Hello Alice (Circular Board Inc.) and Progressive, the case was dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction and insufficient evidence of injury. Key Points: Allegation: Racial discrimination against white business owners. Defendants: Hello Alice and Progressive. Outcome: The court dismissed the case, citing a lack of jurisdiction and no guaranteed injury. Leadership Call to Action: The case reminds me of the section in the Michael Kimmel TED Talk where a group of white men were speaking on a panel called "A Black Woman Took My Job". The white privilege and entitlement in this case are breathtaking. This ruling does highight the importance of robust and legally sound DEI initiatives because those who benefit from a non-diverse and non-inclusive approach are determined to keep "the system" stacked in their favour! What are your thoughts on balancing DEI efforts with the backlash that comes in the form of legal considerations? Share your insights in the comments! Read more about the case here: https://lnkd.in/diMRqHr4 #DEI #Backlash #FixTheSystem

❤️ Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006: Section 24- establishes the right of every person to have their criminal or civil case decided by a competent, independent, and impartial court. This provision is central to the principle of judicial fairness and is crucial in a diverse society, ensuring the judiciary remains free of biases that might arise from differing social beliefs. Section 13- protects the privacy and personal affairs of individuals from unlawful or arbitrary interference. This includes protection for individuals who challenge discrimination or bias within the judiciary, safeguarding them from retaliatory actions that might infringe upon their privacy or personal dignity. Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic): Section 103 - is instrumental in creating a safe environment for raising issues of discrimination. It protects individuals from victimisation, ensuring that those who file a complaint or assist in an inquiry under the Act do not face adverse consequences for their actions, thereby promoting justice and accountability within the judiciary. Section 8 - enhances these protections by explicitly banning discrimination based on personal attributes, such as political or social beliefs. This clause is fundamental to ensuring all judicial and procedural activities are conducted impartially, affirming the principle of equality before the law. These sections collectively establish a robust legal framework intended to uphold the integrity and impartiality of Victoria's judiciary. They secure not only the right to a fair trial and protections against discrimination but also support those who oppose bias within the judicial system. This framework emphasise an obligation to a just legal system that values and reflects its community's diversity, underpinning the foundational principles of justice.

Towards a new thinking about justice and Access to it While we agree with the eminent jurists referenced that if the issues raised are properly addressed through improved laws, reformed procedures and more funding, we will enjoy improved administration of justice and the country would become more attractive as an investment destination. The big question is: HOW DO WE DELIVER JUSTICE IN CONCRETE TERMS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE GREAT MAJORITY OF NIGERIANS WHO ARE TOTALLY EXCLUDED FROM THE COURT SYSTEM? The preferred approach is through the development of a justice system which puts people first. This modern approach now referred to as the people-centered approach to justice aims at finding practical means to meet the socio-legal needs of predominantly poor people who have no access to any form of court, due to illiteracy, ignorance, excruciating poverty. These include rural dwellers and residents of urban slums who are abused, victimized and subjected to violence, abuses and human rights violations. Others are millions of out-of-school children who roam our streets with empty bowls in the hope that someone would drop some food or money for them? Even if the issues identified and addressed by the jurists were miraculously addressed and the courts magically transform to the proverbial ‘fountain of justice’ from whence justice flows like a river, only those who are able to access the courts can enjoy the benefits of the laws applied in those courts. However, if the principle implicit in the ideas of the scholars is that more efficient courts would translate to an improved economy, good governance and availability of more resources to cater to the basic needs of the greater majority of Nigerians who are currently excluded from the justice and socio-economic system of the country, then one may be inclined to go with them. Nevertheless, we submit that the more realistic approach is that while grappling with the challenges of reforming judicial institutions, we must give equal attention to the people-centered approach to access to justice. This ‘begins with a mapping of peoples’s justice needs, the ways in which they solve their justice problems, and the obstacles they face in doing so’ According to the World Justice Project a people-centered approach will emphasize: • A strengthened data ecosystem to capture through legal needs surveys and administrative data a clear picture of people’s justice needs and experiences. • Preventive strategies to address the root causes of prevalent justice problems. • Information and education about legal rights and remedies, so people can come to understand the justice services available to them; and • Removing barriers to assistance, including issues such as language, the physical location and costs of services, as well as excessive regulatory restrictions on the provision of basic legal services.

CARRBORO, NC – A public input session is set for this April for people doing business or wanting to do business with the Town of Carrboro. All are invited to provide input on their experiences with the Town of Carrboro. The input session is scheduled as follows via Zoom: Wednesday, April 10 – from 6 to 7 p.m. Join this zoom meeting at  https://lnkd.in/e3ZRp4Rv ; The public input session is a part of the engagement process to be incorporated in a Disparity Study of the Town’s contracting and procurement practices. The Town of Carrboro is working with Griffin & Strong P.C., a nationally recognized law and public policy consulting firm, to conduct the study. The study aims to provide insights into the Town's utilization of minority-owned and women-owned businesses compared to its availability to identify any potential disparities. The study's findings will inform the Town's decision-making process and enable it to develop policies and strategies to promote equitable access to contracting opportunities. The Disparity Study is a critical step forward in advancing the Town's racial equity goals. For more information, contact carrborostudy@gspclaw.com or visit carrborodisparitystudy.com

The Civil Rights Division at the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has nothing but contempt for communities of color. A year ago, DOJ held a national press conference and announced that the Louisville Metro Police Department had a pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing. Before the findings were released, the Louisville Mayor signed an Agreement in Principle to negotiate a consent decree with DOJ. Since that time DOJ has refused to answer any questions from the community which has been shut out of the negotiation process. DOJ and the City of Louisville have been meeting in secret to determine the fate of the city's budget and public safety for the next decade or more. DOJ has ordered the City to keep their negotiations confidential, so the community has been left in the dark. DOJ only wants to hear from the community when they are seeking dirt on a police department. Once DOJ has issued its findings, the community is ignored, and the negotiations are driven by politics and money. The people of Louisville will soon learn that the City has agreed to turn over their police department and their city budget to a federal judge and a for-profit monitor. The only way to stop this train wreck is to impeach the Mayor before he sells out his city by signing the consent decree. #police #policereform #policeaccountability #policemisconduct #lawenforcement #policing #doj #departmentofjustice #attorneygeneral #civilrights #constitution #constitutionalrights #federal #federalgovernment #policeofficer #policeofficers #policedepartment #policechief #publicsafety #criminaljustice #criminaljusticereform #policing #mayor #louisville #kentucky https://lnkd.in/dMRx2tn9

Yesterday I received a very important question and it was in regards to how Civil society organizations (CSOs) play a crucial role in holding governments accountable? Before I begin, I’d like to first mention the importance of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), which are pivotal in government policy decisions because they act as a bridge between citizens and the state, ensuring that the voices of diverse groups, particularly marginalized communities, are represented. Now that we have that in mind, we can get into the HOW?! 1. Advocacy: CSOs advocate for policy changes and reforms, representing the interests of marginalized groups and ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making processes. 2. Monitoring and Reporting: They monitor government actions, policies, and spending to ensure transparency and accountability. This includes tracking the implementation of laws and public services. 3. Public Awareness and Education: CSOs raise awareness about citizens' rights and government responsibilities, empowering individuals to demand accountability and engage in civic processes. 4. Legal Assistance: Many CSOs provide legal support to citizens who seek to challenge unjust policies or actions by the government, helping to uphold the rule of law. 5. Collaboration: CSOs often work in coalitions to amplify their impact, partnering with other organizations, community groups, and international bodies to strengthen their advocacy efforts. 6. Research and Analysis: They conduct research and publish reports that highlight issues of concern, providing evidence-based information that can be used to hold governments accountable. 7. Participation in Governance: CSOs engage in dialogue with government officials and participate in policy-making processes, ensuring that citizens' perspectives are included in governance. Through these roles, CSOs contribute to democratic governance, promote human rights, and enhance the overall accountability of governments to their citizens. #CivilSocietyMatters #AccountabilityInAction #InclusiveGovernance #PolicyAdvocacy #DemocraticEngagement #HumanRightsDefenders #TransparencyAndAccountability #VoicesForChange #EmpowerCommunities #CSOImpact #GoodGovernance #CitizensVoice #PublicParticipation #SocialJustice #GrassrootsLeadership

Such a valuable study! Looking forward to exploring this report.