On Tuesday, January 17, 2023, the Committee on Justice, Legislation, and Human Rights of the House of Councillors began a detailed discussion of Draft Organic Law No. 13.22 amending and supplementing Organic Law No. 100.13 on the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, and Draft Organic Law No. 14.22 amending and supplementing Organic Law No. 106.13 on the Statute of Judges.
The committee held its meeting in the presence of Minister of Justice Mr. Abdellatif Wahbi to discuss the two draft laws, following their unanimous approval by the House of Representatives during the plenary session held on Monday, January 2, 2023.
In his introductory remarks on the draft organic law concerning the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, the Minister of Justice outlined the most significant amendments included in the bill, which involve extending the term of office for members appointed by His Majesty the King to five years—in line with that of elected Council members—to ensure continuity in benefiting from the experience and expertise of the Council’s membership, as well as authorizing the President to attend and chair the meetings of the committees he forms, with the exception of the committee responsible for reviewing requests to transfer judges or place them on leave or under suspension, and the disciplinary committee.
The government official emphasized that these amendments aim to improve the conditions and procedures for electing judges’ representatives to the Council by granting the Council the authority to determine the conditions, methods, and venues for publicizing the candidates, thereby ensuring equality among them, respecting the integrity of the judiciary, and safeguarding the proper functioning of judicial duties, It also aims to enable the Council to decide on candidacy declarations, as well as to publish any changes to the final list of candidates after it has been finalized and up until the date of the vote, in addition to requiring candidates to strictly comply with the requirements established by the Council.
According to the Minister of Justice, the amendments also include restructuring the Council with the aim of enhancing its performance, improving its operations, and increasing its efficiency, This will be achieved by establishing additional mechanisms to assist the Secretary-General in performing his duties, specifically through the appointment of an Assistant Secretary-General to assist the Secretary-General in managing the Council’s administrative affairs and to act on his behalf in the event of his absence or inability to perform his duties.
Edited by: Sarah Al-Ramshi / Photography by: Yassin Al-Zahrawi
