The Syndicate of Magistrates of Madagascar (SMM) has spoken out following the suspension last week of three judges from the Anti-Corruption Commission (PAC), a decision made by the Ministry of Justice. The SMM is challenging the administration. The syndicate believes the procedure followed was illegal. "This is harassment against our colleagues," declared Mbintanarivo Andriantsihorisoa, president of the SMM, yesterday. He emphasized that this did not comply with the rules governing judicial procedure. "An examination and analysis of the reasons for the decision should have taken place before the suspension. We requested this, but we received no summons or request for information from them to allow our colleagues to defend themselves," added the SMM president. The syndicate also contests the alleged violation of legal procedure that should have been respected when taking this measure. According to them, "instructions given to court presidents concerning decision-making or the application of law, particularly in sensitive cases handled by judges, must be clearly formulated in writing. These young judges are always the last to be involved in such matters, as was the case in March. Some may have received unfounded orders and encountered difficulties," he added. Request for Suspension The SMM has therefore decided to request the suspension of this ministerial measure. Indeed, an investigation was conducted by its members following this decision by the Ministry of Justice. "This action was undertaken in support of our colleagues," declared the syndicate president. A separate investigation had been conducted by the Committee for Supervision and Evaluation of Judicial Appointments (CSE) before the ministry took this measure. The stated reason was "inadequate management of documents and failure to fulfill duties and responsibilities inherent to the work that these PAC judges should have performed in corruption cases." The Ministry of Justice press release also clearly stated that the government "will rigorously apply the ordinances and regulations governing the work of courts" and that no discrimination will be made in applying measures against judges deemed incapable of performing their duties. Relations between the SMM and the Ministry of Justice are therefore tense.