The joint expert online workshop on the study “Integrity Checking and Responsibility of Judges under the extraordinary conditions (of transitional justice): International experience and mechanisms for implementation in Armenia” organized by the CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenia, and Armenian Lawyers’ Association (ALA) was held on 8 November

During the discussion, Arkady Sahakyan, a member of the the Governing Board of CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenia, raised a number of issues, talking about the vetting in judiciary sector. “If it turns out that the judge was not a good, judge with integrity values, and naturally made a number of judgments, how should the previous judgments made by him – their right and wrong sides, be checked; whether there was a political order or not? Maybe the right decisions were made. What should be done about mixing “wet and dry”? This is a very important circumstance, which we must clearly formulate so that they are invulnerable,”Arkady Sahakyan said.

He highlighted the fact that it is also necessary to have a “reserve army” of judges to avoid possible shocks.

According to the expert, the correct use of the available resources of civil society organizations is also important. “Such workshops are organized, professional reports are heard, expert recommendations are made, but, unfortunately, some government officials remain of the opinion that they should call a certain group of civil society organizations and consult with them. Having such a sovereign structure in the country as our structure, and not using that resource is ignorance,” Arkady Sahakyan said