‘We all have a role in upholding law’
THE effectiveness of courts during the coming year “will have a direct impact” on life in the TRNC, President Mustafa Akıncı has said, urging that everyone has a responsibility to uphold the law.
Addressing a ceremony to launch the new judicial year, the president told fellow guests: “Sound and fair functioning of the courts is of vital importance to everyone in the country since justice is a social necessity.
“Supremacy of law, however, is not a matter entirely for the judiciary but for government, civil society, the media and all citizens.
“It needs an enhanced understanding that must pervade all layers of society.”
Referring to a 2017 survey on public perception of malpractice and corruption, Mr Akıncı said it had pointed to “the overwhelming opinion” that many high-level officials and politicians were involved in such activities.
“Malpractice or corruption . . . are a matter for the law. No state authority or official should use their position for personal gain,” he said, adding: “More importantly, however, respondents in the survey expressed suspicion regarding the independence and effectiveness of judicial auditing officials.
“Dilapidated court buildings are an urgent issue, but they can be repaired. What is more important is the erosion of confidence in the judiciary, the mending of which would be more difficult.”
Also addressing the inaugural ceremony, president of the TRNC Bar Association Hasan Esendağlı said a major factor in any loss of faith in the administration was its “three-signature system of president, prime minister and relevant government minister or finance minister” in making senior civil service appointments.
“Such people should be appointed according to merit and objective criteria,” he said.
“The Turkish Cypriot community needs to be integrated into a structure recognised by the international community, which is a necessity in the wake of the current economic crisis and the consequent meltdown of the entire community.”
Mr Esendağlı also reiterated calls from other leading figures in the legal profession for investment in court buildings, staff and equipment, adding: “The judiciary is a vital function of the state.”