"Digital News, Social Change & Globalization" Conference
Screening
| Title | Jirga Justice |
| Language | English |
| Length | 10 minutes |
| Producer/reporter | Joe Kainz |
| Camera operator | Sarni Ocampo |
| Researcher | Massoud Ansari |
| Production | STAR |
| First Showing | As part of the "Focus Asia" series, Star World programme, January 12, 2003 |
| Awards | First prize, English broadcast category, the Eighth Human Rights Press Awards (Hong Kong) (2003) |
| * | The producer/reporter, Joe Kainz, will introduce the piece and take questions after its showing. |
| Synopsis | We begin tonight in Pakistan with a story that has sent shock waves through that country and beyond. In rural parts of Pakistan, disputes are frequently settled by a Panchayat or village court, also known as a Jirga. This ancient system of justice often takes precedence over national laws. But a recent case where a woman was gang-raped, as a punishment for another alleged crime, has brought the legitimacy of the entire Jirga system under the spotlight. |