Beirut's Justice Palace. (Credit: NNA file photo)
BEIRUT — The Higher Judicial Council on Monday defended a salary raise that was given to judges, which was criticized by many other public employees, and described it as a “temporary solution” which “does not at all fit what every judge deserves.”
Here’s what we know:
• In a statement, the Higher Judicial Council said that “amid an absence of any proposal or intention or real initiative from the executive and legislative authorities (cabinet and Parliament)... the temporary increase in salaries was the solution, although it does not at all fit what every judge deserves, while waiting for the general and final solutions which would apply to all authorities, parties and sectors.”
• The Higher Judicial Council also said that “this temporary solution, will not distract [the judicial authorities] from continuing its daily work until reaching a final solution… that secures what is needed and deserved for every judge, for them to be able to achieve their duties which they sworn on, which enable and independent judiciary to rise.”
• On Thursday, Mount Lebanon’s Public Prosecutor, Judge Ghada Aoun, criticized the increase in judges’ salaries and described it as “humiliating,” as the person allegedly granting it, Banque du Liban Governor Riad Salameh, “is wanted in seven countries and in Lebanon for fraud, money laundering and illicit enrichment.”
• The judges did not receive an official raise, but under a banking decision, which reportedly originated from BDL, the judges’ salaries, which are earned in Lebanese lira but calculated in dollars at the official rate of LL1,507 to the dollar, will now be calculated and paid out at LL8,000 to the dollar. So, for instance, if the base salary was LL3 million, it would be calculated by the bank as $2,000 based on the official exchange rate, and then multiplied by 8,000 so that the total payout would be LL16 million.
• Deputy Parliament Speaker Elias Bou Saab (FPM/Metn) on Monday denied that the increase in salaries include the MPs, as had been previously alleged. “MPs receive their salaries at the rate of LL1,500 pounds to the dollar like the rest of civil servants,” Bou Saab said after meeting with Parliament’s House Office headed by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.