International Day for Judicial Well-Being Inaugurated on 25 July 2025, Marking a Milestone in Global Justice Reform.
Important Days
On 25 July 2025, the United Nations marked its first official International Day for Judicial Well-Being, following the unanimous adoption of UN Resolution A/RES/79/266 on 4 March 2025. Co-sponsored by over 70 countries, the resolution underscores the fundamentals of judicial health, mental resilience, and its critical role in preserving judicial independence and integrity.
- This day was chosen to correspond with the adoption of the Nauru Declaration on Judicial Well-Being, originally passed on 25 July 2024 at a Regional Judicial Conference.
- The roots of this observance trace back to the Nauru Declaration, adopted from 23–25 July 2024, which laid out seven core principles aimed at normalizing judicial well-being discussions globally. Spearheaded by Justice Rangajeeva Wimalasena of Nauru, the Declaration called for open conversations on judicial stress—historically considered taboo—and promoted policies for emotional and mental support systems for judges.
- The day was officially proclaimed by the UN General Assembly, with 160 member states voting in favour, making this only the second UN-recognized day focusing on the judiciary—the first being the International Day of Women Judges (10 March). This observance emphasises that healthy judicial officers are indispensable to upholding the rule of law and protecting public trust.
Main Point :- (i) Global surveys, such as the 2021–22 study by the UN Global Judicial Integrity Network, revealed overwhelming levels of stress among judges. About 92% reported experiencing job-related stress, 76% said they lacked sufficient time for personal well-being, and 69% viewed discussions on mental health as taboo. These alarming figures underscore the need for systemic interventions to support judicial officers worldwide.
(ii) The International Bar Association (IBA) and related organizations hosted events on 25 July 2025, including webinars and panel discussions discussing “Wellness & the Judiciary: Global Perspectives”. Judicial leaders and experts emphasized the urgency of collective responsibility, destigmatizing support-seeking, and embedding well-being within judicial institutions for sustained integrity.
(iii) The establishment of this day also serves to reinforce Sustainable Development Goal 16 which promotes inclusive, accountable institutions and equal access to justice. Observing judicial well-being nationally and globally becomes a strategic tool to strengthen the quality of justice, reduce corruption risks, and enhance public confidence in courts.
____________________________