Skopje, 7 September 2024 (MIA) — The Judicial Council is an independent body that in its decision-making should be guided by the individual disciplinary responsibility of its members, Minister of Justice Igor Filkov told Vecher in an interview in which he also pointed out that changing people's perceptions was just as needed as specific judicial reforms.

"We see the Judicial Council as a completely independent body the decisions of which are guided by the very individual disciplinary responsibility of the council members. We appeal to their professionalism and commitment to legal paradigms," Minister Filkov said, adding that judges and prosecutors themselves should elect Judicial Council members and bear the moral, professional and legal responsibility for their decisions.

"The Judicial Council should not be influenced by proposals from the Government, the Parliament, or the President," Filkov said.

"I believe individual responsibility will have a much greater effect than collective responsibility, which can plunge us into a dangerous maze that is hard to get out of. At the moment, all solutions are on the table and we are looking for the best one," he told Vecher.

Asked if Judicial Council chairwoman Vesna Dameva had submitted reform proposals, the justice minister said she had not, but he hoped that dialogue would be initiated soon.

"The need for reforms is obvious," Filkov said. He added that the judiciary was "non-functional" and this was "felt by the citizens, especially those who are in the system itself, essentially and legally." mr/