Outsourcing justice

Pakistan’s Supreme Court has found Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani guilty in a contempt of court case.

However, the court gave Mr. Gilani only a symbolic sentence and he will not have to serve any time in jail.

Earlier this month former Icelandic Prime Minister Geir Haarde was convicted of negligence related to the collapse of his nation’s banking system.

Both of these cases contain a mixture of politics and farce; Haarde said his conviction was ridiculous.

The thing to note, however, from an Irish perspective, is that both of these countries possess a law enforcement system with the power and will to put even the most powerful in the dock.

It is inconceivable that the Irish law enforcement system would haul a sitting Taoiseach into the courts.

Such matters are outsourced to never ending tribunals until the politician retires or dies.

The Corruption perceptions index 2011

Iceland 13
Ireland 19
Pakistan 134