Damascus, July 27 (SANA)Syrialaunched a national consultation on Monday to review adraft Code of Judicial Conduct, bringing together senior judges, government officials and legal experts as part of broader efforts to strengthen judicial institutions and promote professional standards.

The workshop, held in Damascus, is examining the draft code through a consultative process that allows judges, legal specialists and other stakeholders to review its provisions and submit recommendations before it is finalized.

Participants include the President of the Supreme Constitutional Court, the President of the State Council, the Ministers of Justice, Higher Education and Scientific Research, Information and Administrative Development, the Presidency’s Media Affairs Adviser, the head of the National Commission for Transitional Justice, as well as judges and representatives of civil society organizations and professional associations.

The discussions are focused on reinforcingjudicial integrity, promoting professional ethics and ensuring the code aligns with internationally recognized standards while supporting the ongoing reform of Syria’s judicial institutions.

Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais said the draft was the result of a year of work and should be viewed as the beginning of a broader dialogue rather than a final document.

“We have been working on the code for the past year, and what is being presented today is a draft intended to serve as a starting point for dialogue, not its conclusion,” al-Wais said.

He said the proposed code was designed to protect judges rather than serve as a mechanism for oversight or disciplinary action.

“The Code of Judicial Conduct is not intended as a tool to monitor or hold judges accountable. Rather, it is designed to protect judges, safeguard their independence and professional reputation, and help define the standards they should uphold during this sensitive period,” he said.

Al-Wais added that the ministry aims to pilot the implementation of the code and integrate it into the curriculum of the Higher Judicial Institute to support training for both newly appointed and serving judges.

Speaking at the workshop, President of the Court of Cassation Judge Anas al-Sulaiman said the judiciary cannot fulfill its mission unless judges possess three fundamental qualities: independence, integrity and competence.

Al-Sulaiman said judicial independence cannot be guaranteed solely through constitutions and legal texts, but must also stem from within the judge, describing it as a personal commitment and an ethical practice before it is a constitutional principle.

He expressed his support for the Ministry of Justice’s initiative and endorsed the adoption of a binding Code of Judicial Conduct.