The decision by Caretaker Justice Minister Henri Khoury to summon the Club of Judges to judicial inspection touched off condemnations and calls for dismissing the minister’s decision, described as an attempt to undermine the independence of the judiciary and muzzle the judges.
In a statement on Thursday, the “Judicial Independence Coalition” expressed solidarity with the Club of Judges’ mission to establish an independent judiciary in Lebanon and called for dropping the minister’s complaint.
MP Mark Daou wrote on his “X” platform: Minister of Justice Henry Khoury’s decision to refer all members of the “Club of Judges” to judicial inspection due to the club’s statements in the media and on social media is equivalent to collective suppression. It continues the policy of silencing voices and restricting freedoms, aiming to muzzle judges and prevent them from objecting to the abuses occurring within the judicial system.
On its part, the Progressive Socialist Party’s Commission for Justice and Legislation expressed deep concern about the worsening state of justice in Lebanon, citing actions such as confiscation of judicial assets, distortion of judicial independence laws, and jurisdictional disputes among top judicial authorities.
The Minister of Justice referred members of the Judges’ Club to judicial inspection, alleging that the club’s activities violated the code of conduct by criticizing the judiciary.
Khoury’s complaint follows controversial circulars issued in April 2023, which restricted judges’ and lawyers’ freedoms.
