BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, delivered a speech on the occasion of the opening of the 2023-2024 judicial year at the headquarters of the Supreme Court in Algiers. Below is the translation of his speech:
“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,
Prayers and peace upon His messenger,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen, members of the judicial family,
Honorable audience,
It is a pleasure to be here with you today at the opening ceremony of the new judicial year. I am deeply aware of the significance of this event for the judicial family and wish to express our profound respect and esteem for it.
I have been committed to upholding this annual tradition to emphasize the nobility of the message carried by the judicial system and the heavy responsibility placed on the shoulders of the judges to protect individuals, preserve their rights and freedoms.
This occasion provides an opportunity to review our actions regarding judicial reform—a reform founded on an independent, honest, and effective justice system that works to establish the rule of law, build trust and security within society, and contribute to the stability and collective construction of a true democratic Algeria.
The opening of the judicial year this year coincides with November, a significant month in our glorious history that shapes our present and future, as we aspire to achieve it within the framework of the law, along with all the rights, duties, and necessary mechanisms to ensure their exercise in accordance with national and international requirements.
November, eternal and sacred in the memory of the Algerian people, carries meanings and values worthy of celebration. It serves as a reminder of the achievements, heroic deeds, and sacrifices of the martyrs and freedom fighters who answered the call of the homeland to reclaim the rights usurped by the colonizer and to reclaim the components of the nation.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Our Constitution enshrines the principle of the separation of powers, and the constitutional amendments of 2020 were made to affirm this principle and achieve a better balance among them. Our country has taken significant steps in strengthening the constitutional and legislative framework to enhance the independence of the judiciary and consolidate the role of the High Council of the Judiciary in managing the affairs of judges. To achieve this, the state has ensured all necessary means.
In this regard, I reiterate our determination to continue building the foundations of the rule of law, based on justice and equality, with citizenship as the foundation for how the state interacts with its citizens. Every right enjoyed by individuals carries a corresponding duty, and every freedom comes with a responsibility. The exercise of rights should not be used to justify abuses, insults, or malicious rumors that threaten security and stability.
The current situation demands that individuals, groups, and institutions unite and comprehend the changes happening in the world, and grasp the challenges and issues so that our country remains strong and preserved. This can be achieved through the sincere efforts of men and women, with the facilitation and protection of the Almighty.
Ladies and gentlemen, judges, honorable audience,
The law serves as the framework for the work of judges. To that end, we have reformed numerous legal texts to align them with the Constitution and fulfill the commitments we have made to the people. This includes the moralization of public life and combating the deviations that have spread in society.
On this occasion, we commend the legislative institution’s efforts to support the government in achieving comprehensive legislative reform, which adapts to the rapidly changing dynamics of society through an inclusive and integrated vision in line with the national recovery and the expected change.
Building a rule of law requires constant and continuous work, as well as the development, moralization, and efficiency of judicial action to ensure justice for the litigants and protect them from abuse and bias.
Impartiality, competence, and integrity are the tools that can safeguard the judgments made by the judges on behalf of the people. These tools strengthen the noble mission of judges within society.
In this context, I emphasize the full role that the High Council of the Judiciary must play, while committing firmly to respecting the rules and ethics of the judiciary, and fighting against deviations and abuses that affect credibility.
While the Constitution enshrines many rights, including the right to justice, the exercise of this right cannot achieve its intended purpose unless it is accompanied by measures to expedite the handling of cases. Lengthy trials lead to dissatisfaction among citizens and prolong their suffering in recovering their rights.
For this reason, we aspire to more efforts to accelerate the pace of case processing, complete the digital transformation project, and leverage electronic justice mechanisms, while ensuring greater flexibility and simplification of judicial procedures.
Ensuring access to justice by improving judicial procedures and strengthening preventive justice mechanisms will contribute to the quality of judicial work and alleviate the burden on the courts.
I would like to salute the efforts made by the justice sector in making significant advances in digitization, integrating information and communication technologies into the judicial system to meet the requirements of the transition to e-justice.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The honor of belonging to the judiciary comes from the conviction that choosing the judicial profession entails great determination, sacrifice, and effort to establish the rule of law. This results in legal and judicial security and, subsequently, social stability.
The current period of nation-building calls for constant work to enhance trust between citizens and the judiciary. I remain convinced that the entire judicial family, with all its components, is aware and ready to meet this inevitable challenge.
On this occasion, I would like to express the state’s appreciation for the efforts of the judiciary in protecting rights and combating crime and corruption. I also salute the commitment of all judges to faithfully and loyally fulfill their responsibilities, and I call on everyone to continue their efforts.
I cannot conclude this speech without addressing what troubles us all—the Palestinian cause.
As I stand before legal experts, we ask ourselves, where is justice in the world? Where are the rights of oppressed peoples? Where is the right of the Palestinian people?
In occupied Palestine, all human, moral, religious, and legal rules and values have collapsed in the face of the barbaric massacres taking place today. These atrocities, perpetrated by the occupying forces against our Palestinian brothers and sisters, are occurring in a world filled with deafening silence and under an oppressive and unjust blockade that violates the principles of international humanitarian law. Does no one’s conscience shake in the face of these massacres? Where is humanity? Where is the global conscience, now dormant and absent in the face of this genocide?
This genocide reminds us of what humanity experienced during World War II, in the city of Stalingrad and the Stalingrad massacre.
Therefore, I call on all free people in the world, Arab jurists, and international human rights organizations and institutions to initiate legal action before the International Criminal Court and international human rights organizations against the Zionist entity.
This is the only effective means to end decades of impunity for the crimes committed against the Palestinians, as effective international legal action remains the sole refuge for our Palestinian brothers to achieve international justice and reclaim their legitimate rights to establish their independent state, with Al Quds as its capital.
Finally, I declare, with the blessing of God, the opening of the 2023-2024 judicial year.
Glory to our valiant martyrs.
May the peace, compassion, and blessings of Allah be upon you.”
