Third Conference of the Arab Network of Judicial Inspection Services – held on 1–2 July 2024

The Arab Network of Judicial Inspection Services organized its third regional conference on 1 and 2 July 2024 in the city of Tangier, Kingdom of Morocco, in partnership with the Supreme Council of the Judiciary of the Kingdom of Morocco, the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) of the Council of Europe, as well as the European Network of Judicial Inspection Services (RESIJ).

This conference falls within the framework of the joint programme between the European Union and the Council of Europe entitled “Protecting Human Rights, Rule of Law and Democracy through Common Standards in the Southern Mediterranean”, and is jointly funded by these two institutions and the Supreme Council of the Judiciary of the Kingdom of Morocco.

The conference proceedings were structured across several sessions. The opening session included a speech by Ms. Carmen Morte Gomez, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Rabat, a speech by Mr. Abdallah Hammoud, Inspector General of Judicial Affairs at the Supreme Council of the Judiciary and President of the Network, as well as a speech by Ms. Roxana Petcu, President
of the European Network of Judicial Inspection Services, delivered on her behalf by Mr. Mircea Teis.

A key highlight of the conference was the launch of the official website of the Arab Network of Judicial Inspection Services, following a presentation of its contents and main sections by Mr. Youssef Astouh, Head of the Modernization and Information Systems Division of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary.

The second session was devoted to the introduction of each member of the Arab Network of Judicial Inspection Services present at the conference:
Morocco, Jordan, Tunisia, Palestine, Lebanon, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, and Mauritania.

Four additional sessions were dedicated to the study of three practical cases, including the presentation of synthesis reports for each and the identification of best practices resulting from the discussions. These case studies focused on the delicate balance between freedom of expression and respect for judicial ethics.

Following the closing of the conference proceedings by the President of the Arab Network of Judicial Inspection Services, Mr. Abdallah Hammoud, an internal meeting of the members was held, with the participation of other European partners. A key outcome of this internal meeting was the acceptance of the Judicial Inspection Service of the Republic of Djibouti as a new member of the Network, along with the adoption of the annual work plan, which set proposed dates for upcoming network meetings and identified specific topics to be studied to address challenges that hinder the work of judicial inspections.

Finally, the participants commended the efforts of the Kingdom of Morocco, represented by Mr. Abdallah Hammoud, the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, and the conference organizing committee, in ensuring the success of this event.