Allow me to write in thorny file, especially if you agree with me that the reputation of the Egyptian judiciary and the dignity of justice have been greatly tarnished. The image of judges has been tarnished when the political, mercenary and bribed judges left their main task and started to exchange accusations. Although the Egyptian judiciary used to enjoy neutrality and transparency, it started to be affected by many diseases caused by its members, who damage the reputation of honorable people and level false accusation at whoever does not agree with. Let us talk about what is going on the time being. In Alexandria Judges Club, there is a conflict between two blocs and accusations casting doubts on the fairness of the elections won by counselor Ismail Basyouni against counselor Mahmoud Al-Khudiri. In addition, other board members of the club were accused of exploiting the club in making profits from real estate and contracting activities (Al-Masry Al-Youm's issue of October 29, 2008). In Cairo Judges Club, there is a conflict due to personal rancor. In statements to Ikhwanonline website on July 17, 2008, head of Egypt's Judges Club Zakaria Abdel Aziz said the speeches of the head of the Supreme Judiciary Council Moqbel Shaker are nonsense. Nobody commented on these words although they are said against a senior judge. We never heard such words before. Now there are so-called reformists and independents. This means that there are biased and corrupt judges. We do not say that all of them are so. Meanwhile, elections are near. The judges club threatens thousands of judges with canceling their membership or depriving them of taking part in the coming elections because they did not pay the membership subscription. However, the judiciary still deserves respect and appreciation, especially in criminal and cassation courts where judges are controlled only by their consciences. Nobody from the executive or legislative or judicial authorities can force a judge to take a decision against his will because the law gives judges complete right and independence in taking decisions. Therefore, once a judge issued an unfair decree, it would be an unforgivable mistake that is based on personal motives. The other main problem is the fact that rulings have been issued by newspapers before they were issued by judges. Some papers issue innocence or condemnation decrees. This harms the honor of the judges and opens the door for accusations against them because they will be condemned in both cases.
