"Anathematization and public trial"/ The Union of Judges reacts to Rama's statements

2025-08-23 15:55:00, Aktualitet CNA

"Anathematization and public trial"/ The Union of Judges reacts to

The Union of Judges of Albania reacted today regarding Prime Minister Edi Rama's statements towards judges.

In its response, the Union states that it welcomes any criticism of judges made within the constitutional framework, but has called recent statements unacceptable language and behavior, anathematizing the judges.

Further, the Union's statement states that it is fully committed to protecting constitutional principles.

The UGSH has called on the Supreme Court to respond to these cases, regardless of who makes the statements.

Statement of the Union of Judges

The Union of Judges has closely followed the dissatisfaction publicly expressed by the Prime Minister towards several judicial decisions, personally criticizing the judges for their decision-making and turning the exercise of the constitutional duty into a public trial, where one of the litigants, due to power, media and virtual space, not only denigrates the figure of individual judges, but also exerts open pressure on the judiciary as a whole, conveying the message to the judges that if their decision-making is not liked, they will be the next targets.

Without wishing to engage in virtual debates during the holiday period, we would like to emphasize that the UGJSH welcomes and encourages any criticism of judges and their work, when such criticism is within the constitutional and legal framework, which aims to serve to increase public trust in the courts, strengthen the independence of the courts, the rule of law and the rule of law. But, on the other hand, we note that statements, comments and initiatives are repeatedly made, which are not at all principled, do not aim to strengthen the independence of the decision-making of the courts and the fundamental principles of the functioning of the rule of law, but directly violate the integrity of judges, by insulting, distorting and misinterpreting the facts, legal issues, or procedures followed, while decisions are given "IN THE NAME OF THE REPUBLIC" and any party that is dissatisfied has the right to appeal to a higher court, or to initiate disciplinary proceedings for any violation of the law that the judge claims to have committed.

These statements with unacceptable language and behavior, which have nothing to do with the rule of law and democratic governance, are dressed up under the guise of the next reform and, as always, line up judges in the anti-reform trench, when the "Justice System" itself has not yet matured after the profound reform that took place over the last decade!

The Republic of Albania is a parliamentary republic, where the separation of powers, clearly sanctioned in the Constitution, is one of the main pillars on which our parliamentary democracy is built and stands and our society develops. In this constitutional framework, the judicial system also functions and decision-making is exercised by the courts. It is this constitutional and legal framework, according to which the subjects, time and methods of control of a judicial decision are precisely defined, which of course does not allow representatives of other powers to anathematize the decisions of the courts and, even worse, to seek the punishment of judges, when they do not like their decisions.

Any action by anyone that deviates from the constitutional and legal framework in force in the Republic of Albania not only does not serve the strengthening of the rule of law, but on the contrary, is a step backward for the independence of the judiciary, the strengthening of the rule of law, and undermines public trust in justice.

The UGJSH wishes to emphasize the maximum commitment against any illegal phenomenon observed in the daily work of the courts, as well as the full commitment to protecting the constitutional principles of the separation of powers, the independence of the courts, respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens and the strengthening of the rule of law in the country.

Finally, the UGJSH calls on the High Judicial Council, as the government of the judiciary and the body charged by the Constitution and the law to guarantee the independence and integrity of judges, to react and take a stand against attacks made against judges because of their duty, regardless of where they come from./ CNA