CSM majority requests protection for Albania migrant judges

(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 22 - All magistrates in the judiciary's self-governing body, the Supreme Council of Magistrates (CSM), who are members of three factions - the left-wing Area and Magistratura Democratica (MD) and the centrist Unicost - as well as independents Roberto Fontana and Andrea Mirenda, with the exception of members of conservative faction Magistratura Indipendente (MI), on Tuesday requested to open a special procedure to protect the independence and autonomy of judges after a decision by the immigration section of Rome's court to nix the detention of migrants at new Italian-run centres in Albania was slammed by cabinet members.
    "Criticism against decisions taken by the judiciary cannot go beyond the dutiful respect for magistrates", according to the document drafted by 16 CSM members stemming from the judiciary, the majority.
    The document in particular cited "statements over the past few hours by important representatives of institutions" that "unjustifiably discredit magistrates", it said.
    The petition was also signed by three 'lay' councillors of CSM who are elected by Parliament - Ernesto Carbone (representing Italia Viva), Michele Papa (Five-Star Movement, M5S) and Roberto Romboli (Democratic Party, PD). (ANSA).