TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisian President Kais Saied will change the Supreme Judicial Council however not abolish it, the justice minister stated on Wednesday, days after the president acknowledged his plan to dissolve the physique met intense criticism, together with from Western donors whose assist is required to avert a disaster in public funds.
The president, nonetheless, stated later within the day that he rejected “foreign interference” following the widespread criticism after he introduced plans on Sunday to dissolve the physique that ensures judicial independence.
Justice Minister Leila Jaffel stated on tv that Saied would preserve the council as a constitutional establishment however change the legislation regulating it and arrange a short lived judicial authority within the meantime.
Jaffel gave no particulars as to how the council’s composition or function would change, or concerning the composition, function or tenure of the short-term authority.
She added that the preparation of the brand new legislation might be participatory and democratic.
Critics, which additionally embrace judges, rights teams, and opposition events, stated abolishing the council would undermine judicial independence and will assist Saied cement one-man rule after his suspension of parliament and seizure of broad powers final yr, which critics name a coup.
But Saied stated his nation doesn’t settle for being within the place of a scholar who receives classes.
“There are international locations that wouldn’t have a Supreme Judicial Council…Tunisia is a sovereign state and we’re not a backyard of anybody”, Saied stated throughout a gathering with the foreign minister printed on the presidency Facebook web page.
(Reporting by Tarek Amara, writing by Angus McDowall, modifying by Richard Chang and Marguerita Choy)