Text and image Jason Pinas
PARAMARIBO — Iwan Rasoelbaks, President of the Court of Justice, acknowledged the government’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary at the installation of fifteen new judges. According to him, President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons has shown that she wants to take the judiciary to a higher level by appointing and swearing in the new group of judges. “I cannot let this memorable moment pass without expressing my appreciation to the president and the government. This reinforcement will be important for all of us and will benefit all of us in this nation,” Rasoelbaks noted on Friday.
With the addition of fifteen new colleagues, the number of judges has increased to 45. The court president called the addition of such a large group a historic act. He urged the fifteen new judges to be thoughtful and accurate at all times in any judgment they will render. “Communicate well and courteously with the parties, providing good reasons for the decisions. And above all, exercise appropriate speed when giving an opinion,” says Rasoelbaks.
“You have to be particularly stress-resistant for this taki yu no e dyompo bari obia nanga winsti“
Court President Iwan Rasoelbaks
The court president emphasized that the installation of the new magistrates comes at a time when the rule of law and democracy are under considerable pressure worldwide. “Concerns about wars and rumors of wars, geopolitical tensions that are on edge worldwide and also in the Americas, cyber attacks that are taking place, global warming with natural disasters, energy and food crises, coarsening and new forms of crime, as well as concerns about confidence in democracy and the rule of law,” he cited as an example.
According to him, fake social media profiles and rapidly developing artificial intelligence can also pose a threat to the rule of law. “Bearing responsibility in these challenging times will require more from the judge than just expertise, independence and integrity. Calmness and resilience, but still be courteous and professional, aware of the environment and modesty. So just calm down yu e teki a lai. You have to be particularly stress-resistant for this taki yu no e dyompo bari obia nanga winsti“, Rasoelbaks further commented to the new group.
