The spokesperson for the European Union's foreign affairs, Peter Stano, has stated that Georgia should establish a system of integrity checks, which will apply to members of the Supreme Council of Justice, judges of the Supreme Court, and chairpersons of the courts.
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In a statement distributed in connection with the developments in Georgia regarding judicial reform, it is stated that the comprehensive reform of justice, including the Supreme Council of Justice, aligns with the conclusions of the 2023 EU enlargement report and is one of the fundamental recommendations of the European Commission on Georgia's path to accession to the European Union. Peter Stano says that this is part of the nine steps that all EU member states supported when issuing the recommendation to grant Georgia the status of a candidate country.
“In order to solve the systemic challenges in the judicial system, Georgia needs to create a special integrity check system for candidates and persons with the highest positions in the judicial system - in the Supreme Council of Justice, the Supreme Court, and the presidents of the courts, with the involvement of international experts who will have a decisive role in the process.
In this context, the EU is concerned about recent comments made by Georgian officials targeting specific judges who have expressed their views on a potential system of integrity checks in the judiciary. It is important that the independence of the judicial system is ensured”, said Peter Stano.
He also said that the European Union remains in close dialogue with officials and is ready to support the progress of these important reforms that will benefit the people of Georgia.
The leaders of Georgia's ruling party attempted to portray the introduction of the integrity checking system, known as Vetting, as an initiative of the opposition and non-governmental organizations. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze categorically rejects Vetting, considering it unconstitutional. Kobakhidze recalls a similar action in Georgia in 2004, which he believes led to the complete subordination of the executive branch to the judiciary. Parliament Chairman Shalva Papuashvili has called on Vetting supporters to respect the country's sovereignty.
The statement against Veting was also issued on behalf of the Supreme Court. It asserts that the extraordinary procedure for checking the integrity of judges fundamentally undermines the independence of the court or individual judges. Subsequently, it became evident that there is no unanimous attitude within the judicial system. Two judges of the Supreme Court, Ekaterine Gasitashvili and Nino Bakakuri, did not support the statement. Other judges at the trial and appellate levels expressed an opposing view. They affirm that they do not wish to impede Georgia's European future and are therefore prepared to undergo an integrity check.
Prime Minister Kobakhidze criticized judges with differing opinions, accusing them of delaying cases. He stated that out of the two Supreme Court judges, "at least one has an integrity issue because he does not hear cases promptly because of laziness."
