TUNIS, A strike is scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday in all tribunals across Tunisia, the association of Tunisian magistrates (Amt) has announced. The strike has been organized to protest against the decision taken by President Kais Saied to dissolve the Supreme Judicial Council. Magistrates have guaranteed that urgent procedures and terrorism cases will be dealt with as usual.

Atm has also announced the organization of a sit-in of protest in front of the Supreme Judicial Council, which has been temporarily closed by authorities, urging magistrates, civil society organizations and national figures to participate.
The union of Tunisian magistrates (Smt) has taken a more conciliatory position, stressing the need to preserve the principles stating the independence of the judiciary while highlighting the need for a reform, which would also affect the Supreme Judicial Council. The union added in a statement that the organization should not be subjected to the executive power and should instead benefit from mechanisms allowing it to stay away from any type of political interference. The union thus suggested to maintain the principle of the election of members of the body while reducing the length of their mandate.

According to magistrate Ali Chourabi, the percentage of adhesion to the strike will allow to evaluate the degree of satisfaction of members of the judiciary on the work carried out by the Supreme Judicial Council. The announcement of its dissolution by Tunisian President Kais Saied sparked conflicting reactions between magistrates and lawyers. Some supported Saied’s decision by claiming that the self-governing body had not succeeded in its mission due to its composition while others firmly opposed its dissolution, warning that such an approach was serious because it undermined the rule of law.

Source: ANSA News Agency