The new judiciary chief outlined the main goals of his five-year term during his induction ceremony in Tehran on Monday.
Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi was appointed to the post by the Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a decree last Thursday. He was officially sworn in on Monday in a ceremony attended by the head of Leader’s office, Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani.
In his address to the ceremony, he thanked the previous chiefs of the judicial system for their faithful service over the past four decades, hoping he can continue to perform the duty as well as them, Mizan Online reported.
He vowed to focus his efforts on fulfilling public demands from the judiciary.
“Public opinion surveys have shown that people are concerned about the administration of justice,” he said.
Upholding the law, according to Raeisi, is the fundamental step toward achieving justice, although it could not guarantee its full administration.
“Law must be the basis of action and everyone must act in accordance with the law, both in the judiciary and all other administrative organizations,” he said, adding that he would give high priority to observance of the rule of law in his tenure.
Anti-Graft Drive
Fighting corruption is another public demand that Raeisi promised to give his special attention, calling for the cooperation of other branches of power, namely the executive and the legislature.
The top judicial official says the judiciary on his watch will closely cooperate with the government and parliament to adopt effective measures to combat economic corruption and financial malpractices
“The judiciary will definitely place imposition of penalties on economic offenders high on its agenda … but the causes of corruption also need to be tackled in the first place,” he said.
Along this line, he added, the government is responsible for reforming the administrative structures and the parliament is required to modify the laws and regulations that facilitate corruption.
He also stressed that besides those who are directly involved in a crime, other individuals whose indifference and irresponsibility has led to such a situation must also be questioned.
Raeisi underlined the importance of security as a major principle that takes precedence over all other responsibilities.
“We see security at the most important issue for the country and will spare no effort to stand against violent and organized crime and any action to undermine the society’s security,” he said.
The judiciary chief also pledged to collaborate with scholars and use their views in setting the legal policies.
Raeisi called on all judicial staff to increase their tolerance of fair criticism and new proposals, as they can help improve the legal establishment.
With regard to human rights, he said the judiciary will continue to draw on Islamic teachings as the best source of human prosperity.
In his letter of appointment, the Leader had advised Raeisi to consider a number of points in discharging his duty, such as recruiting young and law-abiding workforce, fighting corruption, focusing on public justice, upholding people’s rights, raising the judges’ self-esteem and undertaking efficient interaction with the other two branches of power (executive and legislative).
Raeisi vowed to carry out the instructions set out in the Leader's decree during his tenure.
