The commentary "Pakistani Food for Thought" has stayed at our site www.braykov.com since March 2007. I wrote it in envy to that distant and dignified people and in despair for our distance to their virtues. Today I repent for that despair-after the vulcano of solidarity with Judge Miroslava Todorova against her dismissal by the Supreme judicial council. Art.629 s.6 of the Trade act orders that the procedure for starting bankruptcy must close within three months. The average age of such cases in Sofia city court is fifteen months I.e. five times beyond the statutory limit. Has the Supreme judicial council sensured anybody? In Supreme Cassation court there is a Red Squadron which cuts down the restitution of real estate with the sword "indirect control". How many millions of compensation has Bulgaria paid in Strasbourg for the great deeds of that squadron? Has the Supreme judicial council noticed it? The speck in Judge Todorova's eye turned bigger than the planks in their own eyes. Against Judge Todorova the rulers are arranging a middle-ages psychosis as if she is a "judiciary witch" who must be burnt at a public fire stake- to bring relief to her executors. The servants who most helpfully bring wood for this fire are not worthy of the exclamation from that great stake: "O, Sancta Simplicitas!" I dedicate the following lines, written in 2007, to Judge Miroslava Todorova. July 2012 Valentin Braykov PAKISTANI FOOD FOR THOUGHT Pakistani cuisine is quite spicy but the food for thought that is now coming from Parksitan may burn quite a few mental stomachs. On March 9th the Chief justice of Pakistan Mr. Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry was suspended from office on the orders of president Musharaff for alleged (but unspecified) misconduct. The removal of Justice Chaudhry provoked an unexpected vulcano of protests by population, civil servants and legal circles. In parallel to the rage of ordinary citizens several hundred lawyers in their black coats went to the streets of the major cities. Fraternities of Pakistani lawyers saw in the Chaudhry scandal an attempt by the rulers to humiliate and tame justice in general. Bloody riot clashes with police in Lahore and Islamabad turned the personal professional drama of Justice Chaudhry into a social and political barricade which united magistrates and lawyers. Even those who are close to the authorities refused to represent the government’s case against Mr. Chaudhry. Chief editors of newspapers and TV channels showed a remarkable resilience against the political pressure from Supreme judicial council not to cover the Chaudhry case. The offices of the private Geo TV were raided by police, glass doors and equipment smashed and tear gas shells fired inside- just because of its footage and comments on the affair, as the BBC reports. Obviously Pakistan is giving a lesson to the world in civil society and selfless defense of judicial independence. Whatever the facts of the case may be it is clear that the professional and social prestige of Justice Chaudhry indicates a spiritual link with his protesting defenders. And whatever the Pakistani judicial system may be this spiritual link between the Judge and the Public indicates a living shared value- that of independent judiciary and of simple human fairness. In Bulgaria nobody was excited by this Pakistani drama. And nobody got ashamed of it. Yet some claim they should go and civilize that part of the world! What would be the reaction of Bulgarian magistrates and lawyers if the same fate befalls the Bulgaria supreme court president? Would we go to the streets to fight for him? Or we shall shrink into our cowardly shells and some shall even run to lick the government with new slanders against the removed judge and with suggestions for his succession? Bulgaria has magistrates who are most worthy of such a sacrifice barricade. They have simply to show up by proudly raising their head at the Altar of Justice. And then they shall see they are not alone at all and that there are many around to stand up by them. Because the Temple of Justice is one although the functions within are different. March 2007 Valentin Braykov
