Lebanon is Regaining its Glory
Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar announced on Thursday the opening of the Judiciary Year, which he said he hoped would be resumed and held every year.
“Justice in Lebanon is regaining its glory, and the independent judicial system is restoring its authority,” said Najjar, who added that the Justice Ministry is ready to follow up on the most recent technology efforts, which led in part to the establishment of two judicial councils in less than a year.
He praised President Michel Sleiman, saying that his presence at the event “is an act of belief that Lebanese institutions have restored their work.”
Najjar also stressed that judicial verdicts should be issued in a timely fashion, that a mandate must be issued to hold suspects in temporary custody and that staff members’ holidays should be shortened to properly implement judicial work.
He called for changing the way justice is pursued in the country, saying that not only should it be done by decreasing penalties and transferring the administration of prisons to the Justice Ministry in 2012, but also through enhancing legislation. He added, “We should also address the issue of holding exceptional trials and verdicts that cannot be appealed.”
“Lebanon will be facing challenges,” said Najjar, adding that the country’s constitutional institutions must restore balance and effectiveness.