PRESS RELEASE
Linyon Demokratik Seselwa condemns the decision of President
James Michel to suspend Judge Durai Karunakaran and to initiate an
investigation, through the Constitutional Appointments Authority, into matters
which have not been specified relating to his decisions and conduct.
The decision of President Michel, taken at the request of
Chief Justice Mathilda Twomey, is an unprecedented and unjustified attempt to
subject the Judiciary to the control of the Executive.
LDS considers that the decision is politically motivated and
a measure of retaliation because of recent rulings by Judge Karunakaran in
controversial cases related to the electoral process which were not in the
political interests of President Michel and the Parti Lepep.
Judge Karunakaran has served the country for more than 30
years in an office of great responsibility, as a Judge of the Supreme Court and
also as Acting Chief Justice, without any allegation of impropriety or
complaint against his professionalism. There is no doubt that the action against
him at this time is connected to the recent cases in which he has been
involved.
LDS calls on President Michel and all the leadership of
Parti Lepep to respect the independence of the Judiciary and refrain from using
the power of the Executive and state institutions to further political
interests.
Roger Mancienne October 11, 2016
Chairman, Linyon Demokratik Seselwa