Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Meeting with Families of the Martyrs of the Seventh of Tir and Officials of the Judiciary

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

I extend a warm welcome to all dear brothers and sisters, the honorable families of the martyrs of the Seventh of Tir, and the officials and managers of the Judiciary. This occasion is also a highly meaningful one. The Seventh of Tir is a very important and historic day. On one hand, it reveals the criminal motivation and the hand of the enemies of the Islamic Revolution, showing how far they were willing to go; and on the other hand, it demonstrates the strength of the foundations of the Islamic Republic, indicating how capable it is of standing firm against strange events and crises.

Those who were martyred on the Seventh of Tir were guilty of being elite and effective. The wicked and malicious enemies of the Islamic Republic aimed to eliminate these elite individuals from the Revolution. Well-known figures such as our esteemed and unparalleled martyr, the late Ayatollah Beheshti (may God’s mercy be upon him), and some other prominent figures are known to all; however, I must say that we, who knew nearly all of those righteous and service-oriented men, can testify that each of them was a solid pillar for the future of the system and for establishing the Islamic Republic in the country; they were distinguished, righteous, effective individuals with strong talents. They wanted to take these seventy-two individuals away from the Islamic Republic. If there had been seven hundred, the wicked hands of those hypocrites would have still committed this act; they had no qualms about slaughter, destruction, or shedding blood; rather, they aimed to bring the Islamic Republic to its knees.

Throughout these years, it has always been this way. Today, it is the same. The enemies of the Islamic system do not shy away from any action—inhumane, unjust, and entirely criminal—to strike at the Islamic Republic. If no action is taken, it is because they cannot, and the other side of the matter is the strength of the Islamic Republic. Is it a joke?! In one hour, to take away about seventy elite personalities of a system—among whom is a prominent figure like martyr Beheshti; among them are effective ministers, capable representatives of the parliament, and active political figures—and not only does this blow not affect the identity, strength, and resilience of the system, but it also increases the motivation and faith of the people; it strengthens the system. These are the very important dimensions of the Seventh of Tir. The Judiciary has chosen this day as the peak of the Judiciary Week and a reminder of the importance of the judiciary force. These are interconnected.

The Judiciary is the institution upon which a significant portion of the goals of the Islamic Republic depends on its efficiency and performance. The issue of justice, the issue of restoring rights, the issue of rule of law, standing firm against the oppressor, the aggressor, and the abuser, providing a sense of security, tranquility, and peace to the people in their lives are not matters that can be regarded as insignificant in the Islamic Republic. These are responsibilities that fall upon the Judiciary; the Judiciary is responsible and committed to these tasks.

Providing security to the people is a major foundation that rests on the shoulders of the Judiciary. Whether social security, economic security, moral security, or reputational security. It is true that various executive bodies each share in these tasks with the Judiciary—for example, in social security, the law enforcement agencies partner with the Judiciary and must establish security—but what is the role of the Judiciary here? It is that the transgressor is dealt with by the Judiciary in such a way that it serves as a lesson. Or it is true that the officials responsible for establishing economic security are often in the executive bodies—the ministries of economy and the monetary and banking institutions—and they are responsible; however, the role of the Judiciary is that if, within the framework of these performances and the interaction of these institutions with the people, an economic corruptor arises, the Judiciary must deal with them in such a way that their actions serve as a lesson for those who lead the economic system into corruption. This is itself an important factor in creating economic security.

Some think—or they pretend to think—that dealing with economic corruption disrupts economic security. This is the opposite of the truth; this is precisely contrary to reality. Dealing with economic corruptors creates economic security for the non-corrupt. Who are the non-corrupt? The majority of the people. Economic corruptors are a small number; they are the abusers. They must be dealt with harshly so that the majority of the people, the majority of the active members of society who work in the economic sphere, feel secure and recognize that the correct path is the one they have taken.

Moral security in society, cultural security, and reputational security are the same. In an Islamic society, the reputation of individuals should not be manipulated by those who feel no responsibility. Institutions must take action. Damaging individuals' reputations, making accusations against individuals, questioning individuals without reason—whether they are responsible or not—spreading rumors about them is contrary to Islamic laws; it is against Islamic jurisprudence; it is against Islamic practice. Suppose someone is accused of financial abuse; by the time they come to prove that this is not the case, a lot of time will be wasted. These matters; reputational security in an Islamic society, the issue of dignity, is significant and must be attended to. The Judiciary has a role in this area and in establishing this security.

Everywhere, the role of the Judiciary is to deal with the offender according to the law. Whoever commits an offense must be dealt with according to the law, so that the offender is held accountable, and all of these play very important roles in the structure of the Islamic system and in proper living and achieving the goals of the Islamic Republic.

I must thank the entire Judiciary, the active members of the Judiciary, especially the esteemed head of the Judiciary—who, thanks be to God, is a jurist, scholar, knowledgeable, and insightful—for the efforts that have been made. As mentioned in the report—this has also been reported to me—extensive activities have been carried out in various sectors. What I express as an expectation—both to him and to the officials of the Judiciary—is to look at the output of the Judiciary. It is possible that we do a lot of work, but not achieve much in terms of results. What does this mean? It means that our work, although quantitatively significant, is relatively insufficient; more work must be done. If someone says that they work a hundred hours a week, this hundred hours is a lot compared to one person; however, compared to some tasks and some individuals, a hundred hours is a short time. The relative quantity must be considered. The way is to look at the outputs. See whether what has been done has fulfilled what I have mentioned once or twice in previous years. And that is that the Judiciary should be perceived and seen by the people as a refuge and sanctuary; the hearts of the people should testify in this way. Whenever someone is wronged, whenever someone feels they have been wronged, they should say to themselves and to others, 'I will go to the Judiciary and resolve my problem'; such a hopeful perspective towards the Judiciary must be formed in the entire society. If this has been achieved, you have reached your goal; if it has not, then you must still work. Look at the outputs. You must work to make the Judiciary a refuge and sanctuary for all; from the highest to the lowest.

There is no doubt that some will always be dissatisfied with the Judiciary. "And if they have the right, they come to it submissively." The Quran says that if in a judgment made before the Prophet, the right is given to them, they accept; if the right is given to the opposite side, they do not; they protest! They do not submit! It has always been this way. However, in the entire society, that Judiciary which acts decisively, adheres to the law and its duties, does not consider anyone, and deals seriously with the offender—especially if the offender is within the Judiciary itself, it deals with them severely—such a Judiciary warms the hearts and backs of the people. This must be achieved; this must be attained. Of course, this requires various measures; the very things mentioned in this report; strengthening these and advancing these. The new technology that has been mentioned must be established everywhere; all tasks must be specified; access to information for the senior officials of the Judiciary must be available at all times. There must also be oversight, which I have emphasized in previous meetings; oversight over the performance of the Judiciary. Above all, acting in a planned and systematic manner within the Judiciary is essential, so that the management is systematic and planned.

Fortunately, from the beginning of this five-year period, good work has been done. I insist that in these two years remaining of the current five-year period, these efforts continue with intensity. Let it not be that our movement at the beginning of the period differs from our movement at the end of the period. I always advise governments in this regard.

The Judiciary must, like a living entity, constantly take care of itself, advance, and move forward. There are good times, good opportunities at your disposal. This coordination among the three branches is a great blessing; it did not come easily. Some wished—perhaps they still wish—that there would always be conflict and strife among the branches of the government. Today, thanks be to God, there is cohesion; there is cooperation. Of course, this does not prevent each branch from performing its own duties. The Judiciary must decisively fulfill its duties alongside the Executive and Legislative branches. The Legislative branch must decisively fulfill its duties alongside the Judiciary and Executive branches. Everyone must perform their duties; but they should be united and cooperate. This is a very great opportunity. The esteemed officials of the Judiciary, the valuable managers of the Judiciary, should make the utmost use of this opportunity, God willing, so that we can present this model of Islamic justice—not just the Islamic court, but the entire Islamic judicial system, which includes courts, prosecution offices, and affiliated organizations, and prisons, etc., according to the Islamic perspective that is currently embodied in our Constitution and laws—God willing, in a clean, clear, and tangible manner in the lives of the people.

We pray that God Almighty rewards your efforts and grants the best salutations to the pure souls of our dear martyrs, especially the martyrs of the Seventh of Tir, particularly the dear martyr, martyr Beheshti (may God’s mercy be upon him), who was the founder of the new judiciary and justice system, and may God willing, may the sacred heart of the Awaited Imam be pleased and satisfied with all of us and include us in the prayers of that great figure.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.