The distinction of Greeks into first and second category citizens, especially via a judicial decision, challenges the common sense of justice. Because in practice that is what the recent decisions mean; on the one hand the wage and pension cuts that judicial officers suffered in August 2012 were found to be unconstitutional and against the European Convention of Human Rights and on the other hand the wage cuts and abolition of benefits in the private sector were found to be legal and comply with the constitution.
The judges have the privilege of deciding themselves about matters that concern them. As it has been proven time and time again, they decide according to their interests. It must a global first, for the judiciary’s wages to be determined by judicial decisions while ignoring the legislature, under the responsibility of the political leadership. It has been proven that any financial demands of the judiciary that reaches a high court are satisfied immediately.
Almost all Greek citizens have suffered dramatic cuts to their income. Without any hesitation, in most cases the judges deemed the cuts to be legal and comply with the constitution, except perhaps in the case of some benefits for uniformed officers and academics. On the contrary, their cuts were deemed to be illegal, at a time when they are – justifiably – being paid the highest wages in the public sector.
It is odd that the government rushed to implement the decision, restoring their wages and yet for other categories of employees who were vindicated in the courts, such as the library benefit of academics, they must each launch a separate appeal.
The judges often and justifiably complain that the authority and independence of the judiciary are undermined. However they must first safeguard the prestige of such an institution with their outlook and decisions. They must prove that justice does not distinguish according to the occasional interests. Unfortunately with their recent decision they failed to protect the sense of justice and their credibility.
TO VIMA
