US Ambassador Degnan: appointment of judges to Supreme Court must be stopped until adoption of reforms

The appointment of judges to the Supreme Court by the Georgian High Council of Justice (HCJ) must be stopped temporarily until fundamental reforms are implemented in the judiciary and a wide discussion of the issue is held, US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan said earlier today at a conference of the International Society for Fair Elections And Democracy (ISFED) on Digital Election Campaign and Information Manipulations in Georgia. 

Ambassador Degnan underscored the importance of both the ruling party and the opposition’s commitment to the April 19 agreement, which was signed by the majority of Georgian political parties. 

• EU, US ambassadors in Georgia support moratorium on election of judges

Inclusive, wide-ranging debate and discussion on what kind of judicial reform should be implemented is essential. Until such a discussion, this process should be stopped. The constitution of Georgia says that the judiciary must be independent, this is the condition for the Georgian people. Accordingly, parliament must fulfil its obligation and act in accordance with the requirements of the constitution,” said Degnan. 

• High Council of Justice selects candidates for Supreme Court despite calls for moratorium

The Georgian High Council of Justice (HCJ) selected nine candidates for the country’s Supreme Court on June 17 despite the calls of foreign diplomats and the opposition to pause the process. 

The candidates must be approved by the parliament of Georgia.