The ceremonial opening of the 2019 Judicial Year was presided by the President of Cuba’s Councils of State and Ministers, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, yesterday January 14, with Esteban Lazo Hernández, President of the National Assembly of People’s Power, participating as well, at the Supreme Court located on Aguilar Street in Old Havana.
The holding of such events is an international practice that Cuba has re-initiated, as a reflection of the strengthening of institutionality and the importance of the courts to the construction of the country’s economic, political, and social project.
In Cuba, Díaz-Canel noted, “The administration of justice is conceived as a public service, vital to maintaining legality, order, citizens security, and in promoting the effective exercise of rights and fulfillment of duties,” thus the necessity of their acting in an ethical, diligent manner, committed to the values of our society, he added.
Despite obtaining superior results across the board, there are still fissures, he acknowledged, related to unjustified delays, errors, and negligence in the holding of trials, as well as improper behavior and violations of ethics.
The fundamental work of 2019 will be oriented toward correcting these deviations and continuing to promote the application of science and new technologies in this arena.
IN FIGURES
– During 2018, 163,883 cases were considered by the courts. Of these, 149,061 were processed and resolved.
– 74,388 final judgments were to be executed. Of these, 69,709 were completed.
– Women and young people constitute 84% and 34%, respectively, of the country’s professional judges. (Taken from en.granma.cu)
