vgeld
14-04-04, 20:06
RABAT, Apr.12 – HM King Mohammed VI highlighted here Monday the need for judges to be protected from any influence or interference to rightly discharge their mission and win the trust of citizens.
“To hold its rightful place, the judiciary must win the citizens' confidence, a goal which hinges on the integrity and impartiality of judges, who must be protected from any influence or interference,” said the monarch in a message addressing members of the Higher Council of the Judiciary.
The independence of justice, said HM the king, is “not only an autonomy vis-à-vis the Executive and the Legislature --which is in fact guaranteed by the Constitution -- it is an independence from other powers, very tempting ones, especially that of money as a corrupt inducement.”
“The most effective safeguard is to be found in the pact between the judge and his conscience,” deemed HM the king.
Recalling that the Higher Council of the Judiciary is “a constitutional institution presided over by the Sovereign”, and whose members, are mostly elected, he said “it is mainly up to the Council members to ensure the independence, integrity and violability of the Judiciary. They must themselves reflect these high ideals by strictly complying with the profession's code of ethics.”
“Judges (…) must not consider themselves to be above the law, nor think they are beyond the reach of justice, should they fail to honour their obligations,” he warned.
Expressing concern to consolidate the institution-based State, HM king Mohammed VI urged members of the council to submit “additional proposals concerning the Council's rules of procedure which are likely to enhance the independence of its members and enable the Council to make recommendations regarding those of its members who may impair the integrity of the Judiciary or breach its code of ethics.
He said it is for this aim that were created three complementary institutions, namely the Higher Council of the Judiciary, the Hassania Association for Judges and the Mohammadia Foundation for social solidarity within the judicial community.
“Judges are (…) expected to seek, within the scope of these institutions, solutions to issues regarding their profession as well as their situation. When all options available within these organs have been exhausted, and justice is still not done, or should cases of serious breach of the law persist, I shall be there to preserve the sanctity and independence of the judicial system,” he said.
“I expect you to adhere fully and wholeheartedly to the current process of consolidating the rule of law, by firmly entrenching the principle of supremacy of the law, ensuring equality of citizens before its rule, and protecting rights and redressing iniquities,” he concluded.
MAP 2004
“To hold its rightful place, the judiciary must win the citizens' confidence, a goal which hinges on the integrity and impartiality of judges, who must be protected from any influence or interference,” said the monarch in a message addressing members of the Higher Council of the Judiciary.
The independence of justice, said HM the king, is “not only an autonomy vis-à-vis the Executive and the Legislature --which is in fact guaranteed by the Constitution -- it is an independence from other powers, very tempting ones, especially that of money as a corrupt inducement.”
“The most effective safeguard is to be found in the pact between the judge and his conscience,” deemed HM the king.
Recalling that the Higher Council of the Judiciary is “a constitutional institution presided over by the Sovereign”, and whose members, are mostly elected, he said “it is mainly up to the Council members to ensure the independence, integrity and violability of the Judiciary. They must themselves reflect these high ideals by strictly complying with the profession's code of ethics.”
“Judges (…) must not consider themselves to be above the law, nor think they are beyond the reach of justice, should they fail to honour their obligations,” he warned.
Expressing concern to consolidate the institution-based State, HM king Mohammed VI urged members of the council to submit “additional proposals concerning the Council's rules of procedure which are likely to enhance the independence of its members and enable the Council to make recommendations regarding those of its members who may impair the integrity of the Judiciary or breach its code of ethics.
He said it is for this aim that were created three complementary institutions, namely the Higher Council of the Judiciary, the Hassania Association for Judges and the Mohammadia Foundation for social solidarity within the judicial community.
“Judges are (…) expected to seek, within the scope of these institutions, solutions to issues regarding their profession as well as their situation. When all options available within these organs have been exhausted, and justice is still not done, or should cases of serious breach of the law persist, I shall be there to preserve the sanctity and independence of the judicial system,” he said.
“I expect you to adhere fully and wholeheartedly to the current process of consolidating the rule of law, by firmly entrenching the principle of supremacy of the law, ensuring equality of citizens before its rule, and protecting rights and redressing iniquities,” he concluded.
MAP 2004