Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) granted 1.8 million Euro to the judiciary system of Bhutan. The grant is to improve the physical infrastructure and develop human resources.
The grant will cover the construction of new district courts in Zhemgang, Tsirang and Dagana. It is also to equip judicial staff, judges and administrative staff with appropriate skills and knowledge. Four judges will be sent for masters in law. Two support staff will also be sent for engineering and financial management.
“Austria focuses on development of democracy in Bhutan and judiciary is definitely one strong pillar of democracy,” said the Resident Coordinator of the Austrian Coordination office of Development Cooperation, Christine Jantscher. She said it is important to strengthen independent judiciary and to support capacity building of judges, “because a good judiciary protects the rights of the every Bhutanese citizen that is of course very important.”
In first phase, together with Switzerland, the Austrian Development Cooperation has already funded training of judicial and administrative staff as well as the construction of district courts in Bumthang and Trongsa.
