Government examines law on high court for ministers

A government meeting, held Thursday under the chairmanship of prime minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi, adopted a draft law creating and regulating the high court of justice.

The court, provided for in the amended constitution of 1996, is empowered to study cases of crimes or offenses committed by government members in the discharge of their duty.

Composed of elected magistrates from the two legislative chambers, the House of Representatives and the Chamber of Advisors, it is meant to reinforce the legislative power judiciary control over the executive branch. It will be assisted by a fact-finding commission.

For a minister to appear before the court, a proposal should be tabled by at least 25% of the members of one of the two chambers, then it is examined successively by the two chambers and is only adopted after the same number of votes is obtained in the two chambers, according to "L'Economiste" daily. Article 19 of the draft law says the accusation proposal should name the defendant and contain a precis of facts and related provisions.