Challenges of the Judiciary in Ensuring Public Rights

Subject Areas :

مجتبی شفیعی علویجه ¹ , سید محسن میرحسینی ² , morteza emadzadeh ³

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3 - رییس هیات علمی دوره های کارشناسی ارشد- سازمان مدیریت صنعتی

Received: 2025-03-08 Accepted : 2025-07-09 Published : 2025-09-22

Keywords: public rights, judiciary, Islamic justice, governmental jurisprudence, judicial oversight,

Abstract :

Extended abstract Introduction: In the Islamic Republic of Iran, public rights embody justice and guarantee the sanctity of human dignity based on Sharia principles and the Constitution. Articles 22, 23, and 29 of the Constitution, inspired by Shiite jurisprudence, emphasize the protection of people's rights and legitimate freedoms. The Judiciary, in accordance with Clause 2 of Article 156 of the Constitution and the directives of the Supreme Leader, is tasked with safeguarding these rights as the guardian of the people's rights and the enforcer of Islamic justice, ensuring their protection against any violation. Public rights (Huqūq al-`Ammah) in the Islamic Republic of Iran are considered a fundamental pillar of justice and a guarantor of human dignity under the framework of Sharia and the Constitution. According to Article 156 of the Constitution and the directives of the Supreme Leader, the Judiciary is mandated to act as the protector of these rights against any encroachment. This study examines the critical challenges faced by the Judiciary in the effective realization of these public rights, focusing on the perspective of the Supreme Leader. The core research question is: What are the most significant structural and executive challenges of the Judiciary in ensuring public rights from the viewpoint of the Supreme Leader? Methodology: This research employs a descriptive-analytical method, drawing upon jurisprudential and legal foundations, to examine the challenges faced by the Judiciary in realizing public rights. It relies on a rigorous analysis of Fiqhi (Islamic Jurisprudential) and legal foundations, alongside authoritative documents, legal doctrines, and the explicit guidance of the Supreme Leader. Results: The findings indicate that ambiguity in the legal definition of public rights, deficiencies in ordinary laws, and weak supervisory mechanisms are among the primary obstacles. From the perspective of governmental jurisprudence (Fiqh al-Hukumi) and the Supreme Leader’s emphasis, key solutions include:Reforming judicial oversight structures, Enacting more precise legislation with an Islamic approach, Enhancing the performance of subordinate institutions such as the Prosecutor’s Office and the General Inspection Organization. The findings identify three primary structural and executive obstacles: 1. Ambiguity in the precise legal definition of public rights in legal texts. 2. Deficiencies and shortcomings in ordinary laws concerning the enforcement of these rights. 3. Weak or ineffective judicial and supervisory mechanisms. To address these challenges, the study, based on Governmental Jurisprudence (Fiqh al-Hukumi) and the Supreme Leader’s emphasis, proposes several key solutions: • Reforming the structure of judicial oversight. • Enacting more precise legislation with an Islamic approach. • Enhancing the performance of subordinate institutions, such such as the Prosecutor's Office and the General Inspection Organization. • Fully implementing Article 8 of the Constitution (enjoining good and forbidding evil) and forming specialized task forces. Conclusion: Public Rights (Huqūq al-`Ammah) are derived from citizenship law, and true justice is achieved when laws are enforced for all members of society without any distinction or arbitrary interpretation. The policy of "Reviving Public Rights" (or "Restoration of Public Rights"), based on the country's legal and judicial capacities and the demands of the Supreme Leader, requires becoming a public understanding, leading the way in its implementation, and ensuring success through continuous effort and the publicizing of results.Cooperation and interaction between the branches of government have various dimensions for improving internal performance and resolving the country's major issues, but the independence of the Judiciary among the three branches holds greater significance. The Islamic system, inspired by the separation of powers, has been able to combat oppression and despotism while establishing coexistence. In the Islamic Republic, the three branches operate based on the Constitution and under the supervision of the Supreme Leader, in a state of relative independence and on a par with one another. Articles 57, 58, 60, and 61 of the Constitution elaborate on this separation of powers.Based on Article 61, the Judiciary is responsible for the administration and management of the country's judicial criminal policy through the courts of justice. Additionally, Article 60 states that the Executive Branch is responsible for establishing order and implementing laws, a duty carried out by the President and the Cabinet (elected by the people). Despite the interaction between the Executive and Judicial branches for implementing the system's policies, both possess relative independence in their respective duties.Overall, the revival of public rights is dependent on a fundamental redefinition of the normative and structural framework of the Judiciary, and until these changes are realized, its improvement and expansion within society appear difficult.

References:

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