What is J-OIC?

J-OIC stands for Judicial Conference of Constitutional and Supreme Courts/Councils of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member/Observer States. Established in 2018 by adopting the Istanbul Declaration at the final agenda of the 1^st Conference of the Constitutional and Supreme Courts/Councils and Equivalent Institutions of the Member States of the OIC by the Constitutional Court of Turkey on December 14-15, 2018, J-OIC was an answer to the need for a forum on fundamental human rights and freedoms. It called out world nations to take necessary steps to ensure the full enjoyment of rights and freedoms for all individuals.

The Heads/Representatives of the Courts/Councils and Equivalent Institutions of the Member States of OIC agreed to establish an ongoing dialogue to ensure exchange of information, sharing of experience, workshops, and discussions in constitutional jurisprudence and practice.

Starting from this common interest, the Heads/Representatives of the Courts/Councils and Equivalent Institutions of the Member States of OIC were committed to follow up the first conference of J-OIC with a second one, scheduled to take place in Indonesia. In 2018-2020, Turkey, Indonesia, Algeria, Pakistan, and Gambia voluntarily worked together to discuss the possibilities of building a closer partnership and preparing a report to deliver to the Courts/Councils/ Equivalent Institutions of the J-OIC.

1^st J-OIC 

The 1^st J-OIC was hosted by the Turkish Constitutional Court (TCC) in Istanbul on December 14-15, 2018 on the theme of “The Role of Higher Judiciary in Protecting the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights”. The conference was opened with a speech by the President of the Republic of Turkey Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoǧan, followed by a report by the President of the TCC Mr. Zϋhtϋ Arslan. The President of the TCC stated that in the future, this initiative would accommodate the reflection on common legal matters, the study of case-law and practices, and the sharing of ideas and experiences among the participating constitutional/supreme courts/councils. The heads/representatives from 42 countries resolved to hold regular conferences; form a working committee consisting of Turkey, Indonesia, Algeria, Pakistan, and Gambia; prepare a report on the actions for building possible partnership; and hold the next conference in 2020 in Indonesia.

The Working Committee also convened in Bali when Indonesia organized the 3^rd Indonesian Constitutional Court International Symposium (ICCIS). H.E. Chief Justice Anwar Usman (Indonesia), H.E. Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khan Kosa (Pakistan), and H.E. Justice Recep Kömürcü (Turkey) represented their respective countries. At the meeting, Indonesia showed its readiness to host the 2^nd J-OIC Conference in 2020. Communication initiated by liaison officers (LOs) from each member was followed up on and all members were encouraged to appoint LOs to be supervised by the Secretary-General in each member country. The LOs discussed recommendations and agreement from the Working Committee and conveyed the message to the Heads of Institutions. It was also agreed that J-OIC initiate an important movement to fight against “islamophobia” and prove that human rights are also protected in Islam.

The 2^nd J-OIC Conference, originally planned for 2020, was postponed and re-scheduled for September 15-17, 2021, hosted by Indonesia.

About the Event

The 2^nd Conference of the Judicial Conference of Constitutional and Supreme Courts/Councils of the OIC Member/Observer States (J-OIC) will be held on the theme of “Human Rights and Constitutionalism: The Contribution of the Judiciary in Muslim Countries.” It will be divided into two sub-themes: (1) Lesson Learned: The Role of the Judiciary in Promoting Humanity and Democracy; and (2) The Protection of Social, Economics, and Cultural Rights in a Pluralistic Society. The conference aims at providing answers to how the judiciary promotes and protects human rights, which has been a main issue in the global society recently. The Conference will be held both virtually and on-premise in Bandung on September 15-17, 2021 and will subject to strict compliance with health protocols and social distancing measures due the COVID-19 pandemic. This conference is expected to support constitutional and supreme courts/councils and equivalent institutions of the OIC in implementing the rule of law and democracy and protecting human rights.