Pashinyan sees need for significant reforms in judiciary

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reiterated that the Armenian judiciary ought to be reformed and highlighted the proposed new constitution in that regard.

He spoke about the matter at a press briefing when asked about his suggestion to introduce a jury system in the judiciary.

With the adoption of a new Constitution in Armenia, significant changes are expected in the judicial system, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said.

He noted that there is even a proposal suggesting that, from the moment the new Constitution is adopted, the status of all judges should be redefined as acting judges. Within a set period, and only after the establishment of a new integrity standard—which would become possible under new legal regulations—they would be reappointed.

Pashinyan said that there cannot be a judiciary—or any branch of government—that is not organically connected to the people.

“I believe the General Assembly of Judges, for example, should not have the right to elect members of the Supreme Judicial Council. They should have the right to nominate candidates, but in all cases the final decision should be made by the body that holds the primary mandate of the people, and that body is the National Assembly,” Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan recalled that when he said years ago that the judicial system should be independent, he did not mean it should be independent from him while being dependent on many others.

“This is where a balance is disrupted, and we need to address this issue. For example, if it turns out that there is a judge in Armenia who does not meet the professional standards of a judge, then that person cannot be independent, because while writing decisions, verdicts, or reviewing motions, they will constantly turn to others, which in itself creates dependencies with resulting consequences,” Pashinyan emphasized.