Dear Colleagues,
It is a personal privilege for me to be writing as the new elected President of the IAJ.
I follow in that role from Tony Pagone whose work as President occurred at a time of immense difficulties caused, namely, by the Covid-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, those times are still not over adding worrisome indications in several regions of the world on the decay of judicial independence and Rule of Law.
Democracies are in crisis now aggravated by the dystopian temptations emulated by digital technology.
In these challenging times, regarding our activities, IAJ managed to successfully organize our General Assembly, in Rome, participated by a large majority of our members.
It was possible to vote on several capital issues and particularly on the renovation of our internal bodies, including the election of members of Presidential Committee and the new boards for the four Study Commissions.
In the acceptance speech I pointed out the main priorities for my mandate.
Having the protection of an independent judiciary as the most important commitment, other priorities were listed in a world in rapid change.
Sustainable development in the terms of the United Nations 2030 Agenda implies a particular attention to gender issues, with the recent terrible example of the Afghan women judges, to diversity, to the environment - there is no Planet B - and to the protection of minorities. Being IAJ, by far, the largest judicial association run by judges is fundamental to pursue the recognized pillars for rule of law and just societies. For this purpose, IAJ counts, like always before, on the continuous dynamism and efforts provided by our 94 national associations of judges that are the “heart and soul” of IAJ.
The IAJ has two new associations that joined us - Philippines and Gabon. A special word of welcome to them; let’s work together for our common goals.
Employing the seminal concept of Alexis de Tocqueville, associations have the fundamental role of enabling social integration through the values of cooperation and solidarity.
The recent torment of the judges of Afghanistan, in particular of the women Afghan judges, was a particular priority for IAJ’s President.
It must be recognized that the work of many of us probed to be successful - a significative percentage of women judges managed to be repatriated. These women and their families are now in safe environment, protected by the friendly countries that received them.
However, this crucial work must continue. The issuing of visas is essential to help us save more lives. In fact, at this very moment, it must be underlined the extreme danger suffered by men judges in particular those belong to the minorities Hazara and Shia.
International community must focus also on these Colleagues now a main target for the Taliban.
On another front, the economic and social crisis caused by the pandemic, in societies that remain unequal, is a serious challenge to each and every one of us. In the times we are living with the rise of populist and autocratic regimes, this is the right period to proclaim, with serene rationality, that governmental responses can no longer forget the main difficulties of today's societies: without rule of law as an instrument for the development of nations, without the separation of powers, without independent justice, without judicial careers based on merit and never on the favours of the ruling politicians, there is no point in talking about a better common future.
Despite the weariness of democracy, despite the indifference of too many politicians towards our values as defenders of human rights, our commitment remains, with determination, always the same. Because, after all, everything rests on the warning of a US president, Andrew Jackson, underlined two centuries ago: "All the rights secured to citizens by the Constitution are worthless, and a mere bubble, if they are not guaranteed by an independent and virtuous judiciary".
Therefore, in the coming years, IAJ counts on you all on helping us to create a better world for the generations to come. Be sure that we will continue to do our part. A clear sign of our strength and resilience can be found on the number of national associations that already present their willingness in organizing the next General Assemblies.
We all are looking forward for the 2022 World Meeting in Tel Aviv, Israel, also aiming to 2023 meeting in Taiwan and 2024 assembly in South Africa.
Other important events and initiatives are now highlighted in the present newsletter giving the opportunity to know more about our organization.
In the meantime, on a personal basis, may I wish you the very best in terms of wealth and happiness for all of you for this New Year.
José Igreja Matos
President of the IAJ