When people in a society begin to fear the law instead of trusting it, there is not only a problem of law.
There is a deeper wound: the damage to the sense of justice.
Because the real power of a state lies not in its army or its economy, but in its justice. People adhere to an order not out of fear, but because they believe it is just.
Law is not only about the verdicts handed down in courtrooms. It is also the conscience of society.
However, when conscience is overshadowed by politics, law begins to lose its meaning even if it continues to exist in texts. Law ceases to be the language of equality and becomes an instrument of power.
That is when people do not trust the law.
He is afraid of him.
Injustice is not only born in courtrooms. Sometimes it grows in political life itself.
Political parties are the pillars of democracy. But if justice is undermined within these structures, democracy silently weakens.
If a party rewards loyalty instead of merit, if obedience is expected instead of criticism, if individuals are protected instead of ideas, there is not only a party problem.
There democracy is being exhausted.
Because justice should apply not only to those who govern the state, but also to those who aspire to govern the state.
If there is no justice within a party, it is difficult for justice to be strong in that party's government.
History has repeatedly experienced this tension.
When Socrates was put on trial in Athens, it was not just a philosopher on trial, but thought itself. He was shown the way out: silence.
He chose to speak.
Because sometimes silence means betraying the truth.
Aristotle defined justice with a short but powerful principle: “To give to each what he deserves.”
However, in a politicized judiciary, this principle can be reversed. Those in power become untouchable, while their critics can be accused.
Then the scales of justice seem to work.
But what is weighed is not the truth.
It is obedience.
As Albert Camus said, to remain silent in an unjust order is to betray oneself.
Because silence is often the most loyal ally of injustice.
Perhaps it is not that justice is blind.
The question is this:
Who binds that blindfold?
Justice may be delayed.
Justice can be suppressed.
Justice can be silenced.
But truth cannot be silenced.
Because sometimes the truth is not in a court decision...
It lives in the courage of a man.
And when people in a society start speaking without fear...
Justice begins to work again.