DUSHANBE, April 17, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- President Emomali Rahmon has called on newly appointed court chairmen and judges to ensure rule of law and comply with the laws in their activities.

President Rahmon today received a group of newly appointed court chairmen and judges of the Supreme Court, High Economic Court as well as regional, city and district courts, according to presidential press service.

By president’s decree 66 judges of regional, city and district courts have been replaced and several persons have been appointed chairmen of courts and judges of the Supreme Court and High Economic Court of Tajikistan.

During the meeting, the president noted that a number of changes and agenda made to the county’s laws and codes regarding the judicial system were dedicated to improve activity of the judicial system and give the courts broader powers.

Rahmon called on the newly appointed court chairmen and judges to ensure rule of law and comply with the laws in their activities.

He noted that judges must play an active role in creating civil society in the country, raising legal culture and awareness of the population and preventing negative manifestations, including extremist actions, presidential press service said.

The head of state also expressed concern that separate judges themselves were committing crimes, including the corruption-related crimes and thereby injuring the authority of the government in the eyes of the public.  According to him, numerous complaints about corrupt judges are coming from the population to the president and president’s office.