Justice and Politics

An independent judiciary is one of the core pillars of a functioning democracy and a vital safeguard for the protection of human rights. Without judicial independence, courts cannot act as neutral arbiters of the law, and the rule of law becomes subordinate to political interests. In any society that aspires to uphold individual freedoms and democratic governance, the judiciary must be empowered to operate free from external influence, including from the executive branch, political parties, and economic interests. Judicial independence ensures that laws-whether national or international-are applied impartially, that government power is kept in check, and that individuals have a means of redress when their rights are violated.