The Head of Judiciary’s visit to China was transformative
Khosh Sima, the representative of Garmi County and a member of the Parliament’s Article 90 Commission, told Mizan: “The visit of the Chief Justice to China can be considered a positive and effective step in strengthening the judicial diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This visit takes place at a time when international interactions in the legal and judicial fields have gained greater importance, with countries seeking closer cooperation to combat cross-border crimes, facilitate extradition of criminals, and exchange legal experiences. Meetings with Chinese judicial authorities and discussions on bilateral cooperation can contribute to the development of legal relations, enhancement of mutual trust, and the transfer of knowledge and expertise. Overall, this visit can be evaluated as a timely and commendable action in reinforcing Iran’s judicial standing on the international stage. It has the potential to bring about a significant transformation in the judicial domain.”
Regarding the importance and various dimensions of judicial diplomacy alongside political and economic diplomacy, he added: “First, it’s useful to provide a comprehensive definition of judicial diplomacy. Judicial diplomacy refers to a set of actions and interactions among judicial institutions of countries aimed at fostering international legal cooperation, extraditing criminals, combating transnational crimes, and strengthening the rule of law globally and among nations.”
The parliamentarian explained: “Unlike political diplomacy, which primarily deals with governmental interactions and political negotiations, or economic diplomacy, which focuses on developing trade and investment relations, judicial diplomacy creates a platform for cooperation in the realms of justice, law, and legal security. In today’s world, where we face organized crime, terrorism, financial corruption, and human rights violations, judicial interactions between countries are essential, particularly for delivering justice and safeguarding the rights of nations. If a country relies solely on political or economic relations without establishing international judicial infrastructure, it will be ill-equipped to address cross-border threats.”
He further noted: “International cooperation in pursuing terrorists, combating human trafficking, or signing extradition treaties among SCO member states are examples of successful judicial diplomacy. Additionally, active participation in institutions like the International Criminal Court underscores the importance of this type of diplomacy. I believe this visit was a very correct and well-informed action, as we must not overlook the critical aspect of judicial diplomacy. As I explained, judicial diplomacy is highly significant in various dimensions, including ensuring security and addressing issues related to prisoners.”
On the impact of this visit in upholding the rights of Iranians abroad, Khosh Sima emphasized: “Certainly, when a comprehensive report of the discussions held during this visit is published in the coming days, we will see that the esteemed Chief Justice has paid special attention to this matter.”