Parliament debates issue of electing a member of Supreme Judicial Council

In accordance with Article 135 of the Law on the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly, the issue of electing a member of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) was debated at the RA NA sitting.

In accordance with Article 144.2 of the constitutional law the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly, the NA Civil Contract Faction nominated Alexander Sirunyan as a candidate for the position of a member of the Supreme Judicial Council.

The Secretary of the Civil Contract Faction Artur Hovhannisyan presented the candidate's biographical data, professional skills and work activity.

Alexander Sirunyan presented his vision for solving problems in the judicial and legal sphere. He emphasized the importance of steps aimed at increasing the reputation of the court and conditioned the completion of judicial reforms on the existence of a court that enjoys the trust of the people. According to the candidate, the citizen should be sure that his/her issue will solved in court. Touching upon the issue of the independence of the courts, Alexander Sirunyan voiced his views on judges in this context. In his opinion, the latter should be intellectual, independent, and have a high-quality education.

Alexander Sirunyan also spoke about the procedure for reviewing decisions of the Supreme Judicial Council and the processes for initiating disciplinary proceedings against judges.

During the Q&A session and speeches, the idea of ​​having a Supreme Court instead of the Supreme Judicial Court and Constitutional Court, the possibility of using detention as a means of pressure to obtain testimony, the possible use of pressure on the courts, and other issues were de bate d.

The opposition MPs, in particular, spoke about the conclusion of the Corruption Prevention Commission on the candidate's building integrity , and the candidate's expressions on social networks containing hate speech, swearing, and insults. Alexander Sirunyan insisted that he himself did not spread hate speech.

The head of the RA NA Armenia F action, Seyran Ohanyan, spoke about the candidate's party affiliation, his behavio u r on social networks, and scientific activities, and referred to the issue of the independence of the judiciary. The Head of the F action informed that it is unacceptable for their F action to elect such a person as an SJC member. He called on the members of the Civil Contract Faction to think in this direction.

The Head of the RA NA Civil Contract Faction Hayk Konjoryan expressed disagreement with some of the views expressed by the opposition. "You say that we keep the judiciary under our control. If we did, you wouldn't be here, that's what people are telling us," the Head of the Faction noted, addressing Seyran Ohanyan. He added that the RA Government and the ruling majority have no control over the judiciary.

In his final speech Alexander Sirunyan answered the MPs' sounded concerns and assured that the fact of being in politics, will absolutely not hinder his work.

The work of the NA regular sitting will continue on January 21.