During an online Conference of the Ministers of Justice organised within the framework of the Greek Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers on 9 November 2020, Judge Nina Betetto, President of the CCJE, presented the above-mentioned new Opinion No. 23 of the CCJE, adopted last week, on how associations of judges support judicial independence, based on best European practices.

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe Ms Marija Pejčinović Burić recalled that the independence of the judiciary is one of the prerequisites for the rule of law in a democratic society that must continuously be protected, maintained and strengthened. The role of the judiciary has been evolving, but it has also been exposed to abusive criticism and attacks in recent years. One of the most important objectives of associations of judges is to establish and defend the independence of judges safeguarding their status and reinforcing public trust in justice, and fostering thereby the rule of law. Associations of judges also play an important role as regards the training and ethics of judges and they contribute to judicial reforms in member States.

The Conference of the Ministers of Justice gathered approximatively Ministers of Justice and other eminent personalities from about 40 member States.

• Statement made by Nina Betetto, President of the CCJE at the Ministers of Justice Conference on 9 November 2020