The Association of Tunisian Judges (French: AMT) called on judges in the judicial, financial and administrative orders to suspend work in all courts across the country on February 9-10.

This move comes in protest against “the blatant violation by the President of the Republic of the independence of the judiciary and the dissolution of the Supreme Judicial Council (French: CSM) which, the AMT said, is “the ultimate guarantee of the separation of powers.”

A protest will be staged Thursday outside the premises of the council, the association announced. It also urged judges, civil society, national personalities and the country’s active forces which champion the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law to participate massively in this protest.

A meeting open to all judges is scheduled for February 12 in Tunis to discuss the situation of the judiciary in light of the exceptional measures and the latest decisions taken by the President of the Republic, the AMT said.

The association said to be fully opposed to the dissolution of the Supreme Judicial Council and condemned campaigns targeting the council, its president and its members for weeks now. It also reminded of threats against a number of judges.

President Kais Saied’s announcement Saturday of the dissolution of the council – as an independent constitutional body that oversees the proper administration of justice- is a retreat from the sought independence of a judiciary that ensures equality, balance of power and sovereignty of the law.

Source: Tap News Agency