Tunisia: Kais Saied officially dissolves the high judicial council

Tunisian President Kais Saied Sunday officially dissolved the High Judicial Council; the country’s judicial independent body that he accuses of being in league with some politicians and refusal to rule over some corruption and assassination cases in the country.

He signed the decree for the move in the presence of Prime Minister Najla Bouden and Justice Minister Leila Jaffe, reports say.

Saied early this month hinted at his plans to dissolve the council and replace it with a temporary body until new appointments of its members.

“He who keeps quiet before injustice, becomes accomplice, that is the reason why the High Judicial Council has been dissolved and will be replaced by a temporary council, in view of ending impunity,” Saied told the ministers.

He added: “A fair trial, before a fair justice, is a sacred duty and is one of the legitimate rights of Tunisians.”

The plans to dissolve the body is viewed by critics of the president as a way to control the justice system.

Saied has been under the scrutiny ever since July 25 when he froze the activities of the parliament, suspended the immunity of lawmakers and seized the executive power, in a move he said meant to restore the country believes is controlled by corrupt people.

UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet last week took aim at Saied’s decision to dissolve the council, arguing that it is a “clear violation” of the country’s obligations under international human rights law.

“Much remains to be done to bring justice sector legislation, procedures and practices in line with applicable international standards – but this has been a big step in the wrong direction”, Ms. Bachelet said in a statement released by her office, OHCHR.

Established in 2016, the High Judicial Council was hailed as a major advance in the consolidation of the rule of law, separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary in Tunisia.