The General Union of Judges issued a statement saying:

“Dear judges,

A General Meeting of Judges will be held on 19 July, 2023, the agenda of which includes, among other issues, the election of a judge member of the Supreme Judicial Council.

The process of electing a judge member of the Supreme Judicial Council and the legal formation of the constitutional body guaranteeing the independence of judges is again in jeopardy.

The selection of candidates was limited against the requirements of the law, in particular, the Judicial Department, which is not an independent body, notified only the judges of the courts of the RA marzes, again ignoring the right of the judges of the Criminal Court of Yerevan who meet the criteria of the council member to be elected, and to form a proper body that guarantees the independence of the judges.

The mentioned continuous and illegal practices are full of negative challenges for the state.

Earlier, on 22 March, 2022, it was also announced that the Department had violated the possibility of forming a Supreme Judicial Council in accordance with the Constitution.

Therefore, we call on the judges to stand up for their rights and the correct application of the Constitution, because the Judicial Department cannot interpret, predetermine and form an independent constitutional body, which must guarantee the independence of the judiciary, according to its own discretion or at the behest of others, and the bearer of the negative consequences of the above-mentioned practice are the judges and the beneficiary of justice – the public.”