Skopje, 2 April 2024 (MIA) - Fair and transparent procedures, commitment, personal integrity and joint action are some of the recommendations for restoring trust in the judiciary that were highlighted at the annual judges' conference on quality administration of justice as prerequisite for restoring public trust.  

At the seventh conference held Tuesday in Skopje, on the occasion of the Day of Judiciary - March 31, organized by the Macedonian Judges Association with the support of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission, Susan Penksa, noted that recent times have presented significant challenges for the judiciary.

"Highly politicized decisions with insufficient transparency and quality have shaken trust. We should unite in our efforts to restore trust," Penksa said.

She added that the topics of the conference are precisely in that direction. 

"Together we must build a system which promises that cases are resolved through fair and transparent procedures, commitment to professional standards and acceptance of excellence and expertise," she noted.

According to Supreme Court President Besa Ademi, cases of public interest are an indicator of public trust. She pointed out that protecting the public interest is protecting the rights of the citizens, adding also that well-reasoned court decisions are a guarantee against arbitrary judgment.

"Court decisions, and especially their reasoning, represent a kind of communication with the public and citizens. The administration of justice embodied in court decisions contributes to strengthening public trust and the reputation of the court and the judiciary," said Ademi. 

She added that quality administration of justice requires personal integrity. 

Judicial Council President Vesna Dameva agreed that integrity is the most important weapon to ensure non-selective justice for all.

"A step forward is only possible through joint action. It is the only way to restore the trust of the citizens and help our country become part of the European family, Dameva said. 

President of the Association of Judges, Xhemaili Saiti, said the Association has actively participated in the creation of some of the decisions on court matters, i.e. decisions which have set the direction of the judiciary.

He added that positive and negative aspects were noted in several domestic and international reports, but, according to him, it is a question of how we understand them and whether we act.

"The fact is that we have gone through many challenges, some of them we have overcome, while others are still here. It is for this reason that I want to point out that new challenges are ahead of us that will require doubling the efforts and the institutional leadership for their successful management," Saiti said.

He expressed hope that shared experience, professionalism and a little more courage will contribute to tackling with new challenges.

Two panel discussions are planned as part of the conference. During the first panel discussion, Judicial Council President Vesna Dameva and Supreme Court President Besa Ademi talk about the procedure for the selection and promotion of judges, as well as the role of the Judicial Council in the selection of high-quality judges and the Council at the Supreme Court as a corrective or a formal body for evaluating the legality of the selection procedure, challenges and advantages.

At the second panel discussion, judge and Judicial Council member Antoaneta Dimovska will talk about a merit-based system for the professional development of judges, quantitative and qualitative standards vis a vis discretionary powers.

President of the Association of Judges, Xhemaili Saiti, will give the final observations from the event.  

The conference is organized as part of the activities within the annual work program of the Association of Judges.

Photo: MIA