High Inspector of Justice, Mr. Artur Metani held his speech at the conference “Justice in times of challenges”, organized by the High Judicial Council in the framework of the National Day of Justice.
Considering it as a day of reflection on justice, as one of the most important moral values of a society, on the relationship that justice has with society and its institutions, Mr. Metani said that “New justice institutions have the historic duty and obligation to keep alive the efforts of those who, a century ago, drafted and adopted the Kanun of Zhuria”, because they are facing a strong test of public trust, and as a challenge by choice, there is no turning back.
The High Inspector of Justice highlighted, in his speech, the public interest in justice, emphasizing that the discussion of topics related to justice, cannot but be part of the public debate, yet bullying the system serves to no one. “For issues related to their functional duties, magistrates are part of a wide range of criticism. We cannot change this fact because freedom of expression gives everyone the right to express and comment freely on justice decisions. Of course, there are cases when these comments also reflect the defects that our society has. There is no way it can happen otherwise in a developing society, where finding boundaries is not our strong point even though we must all agree that at least bullying justice serves to no one.“
In conditions when magistrates, unlike other public officials cannot respond to criticism, their challenge is transparency.
“The battle of judges, prosecutors and law officials is with transparency and with increasing their work quality. It is true that, magistrates cannot comment on their decisions, but if their decisions they make, express clearly and unequivocally simply and straightforwardly their legal opinion and their law-based discretion, then the public will be clear about what they feel is a fair or unfair decision. The clearer the judges, prosecutors and law officials’ decisions are and the more aware they are about the role they play, the simpler it is for the public to understand the importance of this decision-making process and what is more to build respect for the work of justice.”
On the other hand, notes Mr. Metani, building respect for the work of the judiciary seeks the contribution of other factors in the society, especially the political and media ones. “Constitutionality, rule of law, respect for other people’s work or for what is called separation of powers are standards that must be nurtured every day with foresight, outside the instant interests, considering in the long-term vision every word said and every stone thrown at the justice system. As a society we must be prepared to accept even decisions that we do not like. Antisystem solutions only prolong the agony of the traumatic difficulties that justice is going through today.”
Therefore, according to the High Inspector of Justice, we must all orient ourselves towards our best values, in order to consolidate the justice system towards principles and standards without turning back.
“Today and onwards, this is the biggest challenge for us all!”
