The United States Embassy to Georgia released a statement concerning the recent lifetime appointment of 14 Supreme Court judges.
U.S. Embassy’s statement on supreme court nominees. https://t.co/hCTOJbL0QT
— U.S. Embassy Tbilisi (@usingeo) December 12, 2019
The Embassy said that the candidate selection process in the High Council of Justice “lacked transparency and resulted in a slate of nominees that did not fully represent the best qualified candidates”.
The hearings for the nominees in the Parliament’s Legal Committee were open and transparent. During the hearings, a number of candidates were unable to demonstrate sufficiently their legal expertise or a commitment to impartiality”, the Embassy stated.
We regret the list of candidates approved in Parliament today includes such nominees”, it added.
In its statement, the US Embassy explained that “judicial independence ensures the rule of law, safeguards democracy, and is a cornerstone of economic growth”.
Acting Prosecutor General Shalva Tadumadze, his deputy Mamuka Vasadze and Secretary of Georgia’s High Council of Justice Giorgi Mikautadze are among the 14 new judges approved by parliament on December 12. Photo: Parlaiment of Georgia/Facebook
It therefore encouraged parliament and relevant authorities “to address the identified shortcomings” before selection of additional candidates "in order to instil greater confidence in Georgia’s judicial system".
Referring to the disorder witnessed in parliament surrounding the recent vote, it further called on “all parties to maintain calm and to engage one another in a respectful and constructive manner”.