July 25…More humane justice begins with the judiciary
25July…more humane justice begins with the judiciary
In a step that embodies the growing global interest in human well-being within institutions, the United Nations General Assembly approved in March 2025 the adoption of July 25 as the International Day for the Well-being of the Judiciary. This decision comes as a culmination of an intellectual and humanitarian initiative that was launched a year earlier, specifically the “Nauru Declaration on the Well-Being of the Judiciary,” which was adopted by a group of international judges and experts on July 25, 2024.
From this standpoint,Earth Guards addresses the issue of the well-being of judges from a social justice perspective, realizing that improving the work environment of judges enhances the independence of the judiciary and contributes to consolidating the principle of equal opportunities, and this is through a justice system that is managed professionally and fairly.
In order to strengthen the rule of law
The International Day for the Welfare of the Judiciary is an unprecedented global occasion, highlighting the human dimension in judicial work, and elevating the status of the judge as a human being who needs a balanced environment and psychological and mental well-being. To perform his duties efficiently and independently. This international day was approved and made a global occasion in a legal context supported by international agreements. The most prominent of which isUnited Nations Convention against Corruption (United Nations Convention against Corruption – UNCAC).
This international recognition of the necessity of achieving a healthy institutional environment in the field of justice represents a qualitative shift in the concept of building just state institutions. The discussion is no longer limited to legislation or judicial structures only, but also includes the judge’s psychological, physical and social health.
Therefore, this approach establishes the concept of comprehensive justice, thus enhancing the credibility of the judicial system and citizens’ confidence in it. Hence, we have achieved the objectives of Goal No. (16) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, which seeks to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, build effective institutions, and strengthen the rule of law.
The welfare of judges is a guarantee of justice and the fight against corruption
At a time when legal systems are under increasing pressure, this day comes to restore balance to the equation, and remind the world that the world’s judges are human beings above all else, and deserve a healthy work environment that helps them maintain justice and societal stability.
But there are some societies that face major challenges such as corruption, lack of transparency, and poor access to justice. This is why the role of the judiciary is highlighted as a last safety valve for societies, which is reflected in the United Nations Declaration: There is no sustainable justice without well-being judges.
Therefore, the announcement of the International Day for the Welfare of the Judiciary was based on the issues of combating corruption, access to justice, and sustainable peace. It is – without a doubt – an intelligent link between well-being and major issues. Which makes the International Day for the Welfare of the Judiciary a meeting point between legal work, humanitarian commitment and development transformation.
Hence, it can be said that the International Day for the Welfare of the Judiciary does not celebrate a profession, but rather celebrates the moral and human value of justice, and establishes a new culture that sees justice as a state of internal balance before it becomes a ruling in a court.
Nauru Declaration: A Roadmap Toward Judicial Welfare
What the United Nations based on today’s declaration was a pivotal document, “Nauru Declaration on the Well-Being of the Judiciary”, which was developed in cooperation between judges from Pacific countries and international experts, and put forward seven main principles for promoting the psychological and physical health of judges within clear institutional frameworks. Among these principles:
Psychological pressures
Combat the stigma associated with psychological stress.
Liability
Promoting individual and institutional responsibility for well-being.
Policy formulation
Involving judges in formulating supportive policies.
Human Dignity
Providing a work environment that respects human dignity and achieves the highest performance rates.
It has been confirmed that these principles do not conflict with the independence of the judiciary, but rather enhance it. Therefore, the declaration received wide support from judicial associations and human rights organizations, as a new reference in human resources policies within the judicial authority.
Rather than focusing solely on legal training, these principles also call for training judges in stress management, communication, and achieving a balance between professional and personal life. This framework opens the door for courts around the world to rethink their institutional culture, by introducing new practices, such as psychological counseling, vocational guidance programs, as well as work-life balance programs, all of which contribute to ultimately raising the quality of justice.
How do we activate this day?
July 25 should not pass without emphasizing the importance of launching awareness campaigns on this day, and calling for holding workshops and dialogue sessions with judges and judicial personnel; In order to present the challenges they face.
It is also possible to prepare continuous psychological support programs, form internal committees concerned with monitoring indicators of fatigue and stress, and create support networks among judges themselves. At the educational level, concepts of judicial welfare can be included in the curricula of law schools and judicial institutes. So that we can raise a new generation of judges who see self-care as part of their professional mission. As for the media level, it is necessary to support public discourse that restores judges’ human status.
And based on the above, theEarth Guards Foundationbelieves that justice is judgments that are recited, and reassured souls issue them; When we provide the judge with a humane work environment, we give society an opportunity for stability, strengthen confidence among all segments of society, and bring us closer to a world in which justice is administered with professionalism and compassion. Therefore, the International Day for the Welfare of the Judiciary reminds us that building an independent judicial system is not only achieved through legislation, but rather begins with the care of those who implement it, which is the first condition for achieving social justice.
