Opinion
June 2, 2019
The Lebanese Judges’ Club dares to demand the execution of the first step towards the Independence of the Judiciary as per the Lebanese Constitution, the first step towards a healthy nation with effective public institutions.
More than 300 judges unite to seek the Independence of the Judiciary, which is the “Oxygen” of Fighting Corruption.
The Government of Lebanon and politicians and governing political parties admitted repeatedly and lately in the Proposed Strategy to Fight Corruption, which the parliament is anticipating, that the Independence of the Judiciary is a primary principal foundation of Fighting Corruption. However, year after year, and since the end of the war almost 40 years ago, the Government delays the passing of the Independence of the Judiciary law intentionally. The Proposed National Strategy for Anti-Corruption presented by the Government states that the cost of Corruption annually approximates 27% of the budget amounting to 5 billion USD. Accordingly, it became mandatory to pass the law due to the internationally as well as locally recognized direct relationship between the Independence of the Judiciary and the Prevention of Corruption.
We therefore ask all not for profit organizations and civil society movement not currently represented in the Lebanese Parliament, and all new political parties as well as traditional political parties who promised the people of Lebanon to fight corruption and implement material reforms that bring back economic power and the sense of hope for a better tomorrow, to stand firm and pass one complete law with its related executive decree for the law of the Independence of the Judiciary to take place under the Lebanese Constitution.
Then there will be a better tomorrow for the people and our youth. Then we can stop wasting resources and deter fraud and return the stolen money. This change shall impact Revenues to be significantly increased when controlling waste, in a sustainable manner instead of other temporary measures that may be unfair. Imposing more taxes on low-income citizens will, in turn, reflect more pressure on the purchasing power of citizens. As the Judiciary system gains its financial Independence using a transparent more formal internal control system, the Judiciary can pay a separate fixed fee to the government that will help defray the debt service costs as well as other costs reimbursements to the Treasury for its contribution to the Judiciary system.
Therefore we call for NO Budget before taking measures towards the Independence of the Judiciary, hoping to reach a new phase of Renaissance for Lebanon.
