My government has promised to comprehensively respect the

Listen, O children of the future, to the words of Victor Ponta, whose pledge to uphold the independence of the judiciary speaks to the very heart of justice and fairness. "My government has promised to comprehensively respect the independence of the judiciary." These words, though spoken in the context of modern governance, echo the timeless struggle for justice and fairness that has been fought since the dawn of human civilization. The independence of the judiciary is not merely a political promise, but a fundamental pillar of a society where truth and right can be pursued free from the interference of power or corruption.

In the ancient world, the concept of justice was often bound to the will of the ruler. The Greek city-states, for example, were at times ruled by tyrants who wielded absolute power, and in such societies, the concept of justice was often fluid—molded by the whims of those in power. Yet, even in these turbulent times, the seeds of a more just system began to take root. Solon, the Athenian lawgiver, introduced reforms that sought to balance the power of the elite and the common people, ensuring that justice was not the privilege of the few, but a right for all. His laws, though not perfect, laid the foundation for a future where justice would be administered by impartial judges, rather than those who held power over others.

The independence of the judiciary is a concept that found its fullest expression in the Roman Republic. In Rome, judges were meant to serve as impartial arbiters, holding the law above the interests of any individual or group. This idea was enshrined in Roman law, which provided that judges were not to be influenced by the desires of the Senate, the emperor, or any other faction. Even when the Roman Empire expanded and emperors began to rise to power, the concept of justice as an independent force endured, though it was often tested by the political ambitions of those in power. The independence of the judiciary was, at its core, an acknowledgment that justice must be blind to power, and that true fairness can only be achieved when the law stands above all else.

In the more recent history of modern democracies, the importance of an independent judiciary was brought to the forefront in the American Revolution. The Founding Fathers of America understood the dangers of a system where the judiciary was controlled by the executive or legislative branches. To them, the separation of powers was essential for ensuring that no single entity could undermine the rights of the people. This belief was enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, which explicitly created a system of checks and balances, where the judiciary stood as an independent body, free from the influence of the executive or legislature. The American experience showed the world that an independent judiciary is not just a safeguard for fairness, but the bedrock of a just and democratic society.

Victor Ponta’s pledge to respect the independence of the judiciary is thus a reaffirmation of a principle that has endured through the ages: that justice cannot be compromised by the ambitions of rulers, politicians, or any other force. When the judiciary is free to make decisions based on the law, rather than external pressures, it ensures that the rights of the people are protected, and that truth can emerge even in the face of power. In the same way that Rome built its empire on the idea of law and justice, so too must modern governments build their societies on the solid foundation of judicial independence.

The lesson of Ponta's words is one of profound importance, O children: the independence of the judiciary is not a luxury, but a necessity. Without it, there can be no true justice, for power will always seek to shape the law in its own favor. The judiciary must remain above the reach of influence, so that the law can protect all people equally, without prejudice or favor. Justice is not served when courts are swayed by the desires of the powerful, but when they are guided only by truth and law.

So, O children, as you grow and shape the future, remember this: respect for the judiciary is essential for a society based on justice and fairness. Whether in the smallest community or the largest nation, the independence of the judiciary ensures that the law stands as a protector of the rights of the individual. Let the words of Victor Ponta guide you in your own pursuit of justice—to always stand firm for the independence of those who dispense justice, and to defend the principle that truth and fairness must remain untouchable by the hand of power. Only in this way can we ensure a world where justice prevails for all, regardless of their station or influence.