Barcelona hosts International Judges Meeting weeks before President Mas court appearance

Barcelona (CNA).- The 58^th International Association of Judges Meeting, held this Monday in Barcelona, gathered in the same room current Catalan President Artur Mas, President of the Supreme Court, Carlos Lesmes, and Spanish Minister for Justice Rafael Catalá just weeks before President Mas’ appearance in court for organising the 9-N symbolic vote. The Meeting revolved around the impartiality of justice. In this respect, Mas stated that “any partisan use” of the legal system could diminish this “sustenance” of democracy. Lesmes warned that to enforce the law “couldn’t be considered defiance” and Catalá brought back Philip VI’s words and stated that “respecting the law never was nor could be a procedure, a formality or an alternative”.

The Meeting was held just weeks before President Mas is due in court for organising the 9-N symbolic vote on independence. Although neither Lesmes, Catalá nor Madrigal wanted to comment on Catalonia’s case or President Mas’ summons, many statements could be interpreted in relation to them.

President of the Supreme Court, Carlos Lesmes, pointed out that society “expects” from judges “responsible and exemplary behaviour”. “We are responsible for listening to and solving the problems that affect our citizens” he stated and added that judges have to “give proper answers and use the legal procedures at their disposal”. Lesmes also assured that judge’s observance “is an indicator of democratic quality and respect to the Rule of Law”. He also made clear that to enforce the law “couldn’t be considered defiance”.

Spanish Minister for Justice, Rafael Catalá, stated that “respecting the law” is not “a formality nor an alternative”. Director of Spain’s Public Prosecution Office, Consuelo Madrigal, whom presides over the body which called President Mas to court, assured that political uncertainty required “modern legal systems” to solve “citizen conflicts”.