TUNIS (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Tunisian President Kais Saied abolished the Supreme Judicial Council, the body in charge of judicial independence, on Sunday, a move that has raised concerns about the judiciary’s independence and is sure to enrage his critics.
Saied’s ruling brings to a close months of vehement criticism of the justices. Saied has repeatedly chastised the judiciary for taking too long to rule in corruption and terrorism matters. He stated frequently that judges should not act as if they are a state rather than a function of the state.
The council, according to Saied, is a thing of the past, and he plans to give a provisional directive to the council. He didn’t elaborate on the decree.
Saied deposed the government and suspended parliament in July, a move denounced by his opponents as a coup. After assuming power and shunning dialogue with all political groups, he has been widely chastised.
The Supreme Judicial Council was established in 2016 as an independent and constitutional body. Its responsibilities include protecting the judiciary’s independence, disciplining judges, and promoting them professionally.
Saied terminated all financial rights for council members last month.
Positions and appointments in this council were sold on the basis of allegiance. Their place was where the accused stood, not where they sat then, Saied remarked in a speech at the interior ministry.
On the ninth anniversary of the death of Chokri Belaid, secular politician, parties and organisations, including the powerful UGTT union, will march on Sunday to pressure the court to punish those implicated in terrorism accountable.
Saied said he encourages Tunisians to openly demonstrate. Dissolving the Supreme Judicial Council was their and our right.Even if a government decree to ban any demonstrations remains in effect, Saied has approved Sunday’s demonstrations.
Before writing a new constitution that will be submitted to a referendum, the president has launched an online public survey. He has not enlisted the participation of important political or civil society figures in the process.
