Speaking out for judicial independence (Myanmar/Burma)

There's been a lot of news about judicial reform in Myanmar/Burma. Last month, the U.S. Agency for International Development issued a request for proposals on a rule of law project in Burma. Even more exciting, more and more lawyers in Myanmar are taking part in the reform process. Since 2010, lawyers have established legal aid networks to help indigent clients. They are now turning their attention to broader systematic reform of the judiciary. Lawyers are increasingly organizing conferences about judicial reform, such as this one reported in Mizzima. As noted by Prof. Melissa Crouch, Yangon University law schools has also become more open to engaging with foreign donors and universities. Hopefully these are signs that any legal reform process will be owned by local stakeholders and not driven by foreign donors.