ArmInfo. The Judicial Reform Package, developed by the Ministry of Justice, generally deserves praise, according to the opinion of the Venice Commission. The authors of the document stress that the large majority of proposals contained in the Package are in line with European standards and contribute to combating corruption without, at the same time, encroaching on the independence of the judiciary.
In the process of preparation of the Package the Government of Armenia acted in a responsible and thoughtful manner and demonstrated openness to dialogue with all interlocutors, within and outside the country. The Armenian society was dissatisfied with the situation in the judiciary, and that was one of the reasons behind the "velvet revolution". There is a strong popular demand for quick and visible changes in this area, which explains why the new Government has decided to examine critically the composition of the judicial branch of State power. Originally its intention was to introduce extraordinary vetting procedures to check the suitability of existing judges. However, despite the broad political mandate they obtained following the elections, the Government refrained from a headstrong approach and, instead, engaged in a dialogue within the Armenian society and with its international partners. As a result of this dialogue, the most radical proposals for the reform were abandoned, and the Government developed more tailor-made solutions. The Venice Commission welcomes this approach and invites the Government to proceed with the future reforms in the same spirit of dialogue and inclusiveness.
However, according to Venice Commission one aspect of the proposed reform stands apart, namely the early retirement scheme proposed to the judges of the Constitutional Court appointed for life under the Constitution before the 2015 revision. In principle, it is important to respect the stability of a judicial office. It is not acceptable to change the composition of the Constitutional Court every time a new Government comes to power. However, in principle, provided that such a scheme remains strictly voluntary and does not hamper the effective functioning of this Court, there are no standards that would lead the Venice Commission to oppose it. The Venice Commission remains at the disposal of the Armenian authorities for further assistance in this matter.