Oslo says court observation aligns with international law
Ambassador Per Albert Ilsaas attended SC hearing of lawyer couple
Foreign Office demarche envoy, terming his presence ‘unwarranted’ interference
ISLAMABAD: Norway on Saturday defended the presence of its ambassador at a Supreme Court hearing involving lawyer couple Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha, maintaining that observing court proceedings is consistent with international law, despite Pakistan formally objecting to what it termed an unwarranted diplomatic act.
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Norwegian media outlet Dagbladet reported a day earlier that Cecilie Roang, senior communications adviser at Norway’s foreign ministry, said, “Such lawful presence and observation of a court hearing in the recipient state is within the functions of embassies and is in line with international law.”
She added that Norway, like other countries, followed this practice in many parts of the world, particularly in matters considered to be of public interest at the place of duty.
“Reporting back home about events in the country of service is a core task of diplomacy. Legally attending public court hearings is not an unusual way to gather knowledge,” she said.
On Thursday, Norwegian Ambassador Per Albert Ilsaas presence during a Supreme Court hearing of Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha case triggered debate both inside the courtroom and on social media.
Following the development, the Foreign Office summoned the Norwegian envoy and urged him to “adhere to the established norms of diplomatic engagement” after what it described as his “unwarranted” attendance.
Ambassador Per Albert Ilsaas attended SC hearing of lawyer couple
Foreign Office demarche envoy, terming his presence ‘unwarranted’ interference
ISLAMABAD: Norway on Saturday defended the presence of its ambassador at a Supreme Court hearing involving lawyer couple Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha, maintaining that observing court proceedings is consistent with international law, despite Pakistan formally objecting to what it termed an unwarranted diplomatic act.
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Norwegian media outlet Dagbladet reported a day earlier that Cecilie Roang, senior communications adviser at Norway’s foreign ministry, said, “Such lawful presence and observation of a court hearing in the recipient state is within the functions of embassies and is in line with international law.”
She added that Norway, like other countries, followed this practice in many parts of the world, particularly in matters considered to be of public interest at the place of duty.
“Reporting back home about events in the country of service is a core task of diplomacy. Legally attending public court hearings is not an unusual way to gather knowledge,” she said.
On Thursday, Norwegian Ambassador Per Albert Ilsaas presence during a Supreme Court hearing of Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha case triggered debate both inside the courtroom and on social media.
Following the development, the Foreign Office summoned the Norwegian envoy and urged him to “adhere to the established norms of diplomatic engagement” after what it described as his “unwarranted” attendance.