Resignation of the Chairperson of the Supreme Court of Georgia raises questions

The unexpected resignation of the Chairperson of the Supreme Court of Georgia against the background of a deplorable situation in the judicial system has raised a number of questions in the public. Despite the fact that, while she was in office for three years, Nino Gvenetadze didn’t react sufficiently to problems in the judicial system, a confrontation between her and members of an influential group of judges was still evident.

Until the entry into force of constitutional amendments, which are due to take effect from the moment the new President takes an oath, the candidate for the office of the Chairperson of the Supreme Court is nominated by the President of Georgia and appointed to office by the Parliament. After the amendments take effect, the authority to nominate the candidate will be given to the High Council of Justice, which is going to considerably increase the risks that power will be concentrated in the hands of the influential judges in the judicial system and the system will become more closed.

Under these circumstances, we call upon the President and Parliament of Georgia to correctly comprehend the existing grave situation in the system and to ensure, in a timely manner, the nomination and appointment of a candidate for the office of the Chairperson of the Supreme Court who objectively evaluates the situation in the judicial branch of government and will take principled steps to resolve the problems.  

Transparency International Georgia

Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI)

Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA)

Article 42 of the Constitution                                                     

Human Rights Center (HRC)

Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC)

Partnership for Human Rights (PHR)

Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI)

International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED)