Lebanon’s judges have voiced their rejection of the draft state budget, currently being discussed by the cabinet, which calls for decreasing their financial allowances and health and educational benefits for their families.
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The Lebanese Judges Association called on the judges to abstain from holding trial and investigation sessions until the government goes back on its decisions, but the Higher Judicial Council urged them to submit their demands and avoid escalation.
Judges will hold a meeting at the Justice Palace in Beirut on Wednesday to discuss the appropriate decisions that would safeguard the independence of the judiciary and judges in particular.
Well-informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the president of the Higher Judicial Council, Judge Jean Fahed, will attend the expanded judicial meeting and will brief the judges on his contacts with political leaders and the outcome of his meeting with President Michel Aoun on Tuesday.
“The Judicial Council is urging the judges to carry out their duties to the fullest, based on the role of the judiciary, which is entrusted with the rights of the people,” the sources said.
A member of the Judges Association told Asharq Al-Awsat that the precautionary strike that began last Friday “was successful… but the decision exempted the hearings in which detainees were tried or released.”
This is the third strike in the history of the judiciary. Similar movements took place 2017 and 2018, over government decisions, including the abolition of the cooperation fund for judges and judicial assistants. The movements only stopped after the government withdrew its decision.
Aoun on Tuesday received a judicial delegation headed by Fahed, and included representatives of the judicial, administrative and financial courts.
