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The role and function of the Ministry of Justice
From various GBC resolutions, the role and function of the Ministry of Justice can be summarised as follows (directly quoted from GBC resolutions):
- Develop a worldwide judicial system
- Justice research and development: As per GBC resolution 92-96, to do the necessary research and development of knowledge to establish and continue the judicial system in ISKCON.
- Oversee the development, implementation and ongoing operation of complaint and dispute resolution mechanisms for the ISKCON community.
- Ombudsperson Services*
- For the Resolution of Disputes - Mediation and Arbitration Services *
- Analysis of relevant instructions of Srila Prabhupada and the sastras, research of existing GBC resolutions, comparisons with procedures in other traditions (religious and secular), and the recommendation of changes in ISKCON procedures.
- To maintain a registry of complaints against devotees, quasi-devotees, and devotee organizations which either refuse to participate in the dispute resolution mechanisms above or who fail to abide by agreements reached. Thus the ISKCON community will have one place it can go to find out information of previous complaints against individuals or organizations. Essentially this shall serve like a Better Business Bureau. Another aspect of this service would be to maintain a registry of questionable characters who travel the ISKCON world. Such individuals may be listed with the Complaint Registry and information would be available upon request. As this service has the potential of being misused, listing and reporting will be subject to the discretion of the Minister of Justice.
- Publishing Services
The Ministry of Justice will compile and disseminate information conducive to the education of the ISKCON community with respect to the above services. - The Ministry will develop continental committees
*These functions are being conducted by ISKCON Resolve which is a well-established, fully functional active office.
It was ascertained that the above mandate would best be accomplished by first addressing the immediate needs of ISKCON, the foremost of which is evidently, the need for a judicial system together with the development, implementation and ongoing operation of complaint and dispute resolution mechanisms for the ISKCON community.
