Tuesday, April 21 2020 12:15

ArmInfo. A number of organizations expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of public  control over the vetting process in the judiciary.

According to the disseminated statement, the concern is that the  security check will only be carried out in relation to candidates for  the position of judges of the Constitutional Court, judges,  prosecutors and investigators of the Republic of Armenia. Thus, this  check is not provided for judges, prosecutors and investigators in  tenure. In addition, in the implementation of this process, the  conclusions of the Commission on the Prevention of Corruption will  not be published, and will only be advisory to the High Judicial  Council. Both this conclusion and the process of making a decision on  its basis by the Supreme Judicial Council is not public. Thus, public  or other control and accountability in relation to the entire process  of vetting are not indicated.

In this regard, the demand was voiced for a full and comprehensive  audit of all bodies of the judicial system; reviewing incorrect and  ineffective approaches to justice reform; introducing international  experience in the legislative provisions regarding vetting;  conducting vetting as a matter of priority with respect to members of  the High Judicial Council, since this body will be the last resort to  verify the reliability of judges.

In particular, the Vanadzor Office of the Helsinki Citizens'  Assembly, the NGO Open Society Foundation-Armenia, the Asparez  Journalists Club, NGO Protection of Rights Without Borders, the  Foundation for the Development and Protection of Law, the  Anti-Corruption Center Transparency International signed the  statement.

To note, earlier Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reaffirmed his  readiness to implement reforms in the judicial system, including  through the use of vetting and checking the judges for reliability.  Relevant legislative initiatives also aimed at tightening  anti-corruption policies were adopted by the National Assembly on  March 25 this year and will come into force after signing by the  Armenian President.