Minister of justice defends the idea of “transitional justice”
21.08.2018,
13:41
Armenia’s Minister of Justice Artak Zeynalyan has backed today the idea of creating “transitional justice" bodies, voiced by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at an August 17 rally.
YEREVAN, August 21, /ARKA/. Armenia’s Minister of Justice Artak Zeynalyan has backed today the idea of creating “transitional justice" bodies, voiced by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at an August 17 rally.
Addressing tens of thousands of Armenians who gathered in central Republic Square to mark the first 100 days of new government, Pashinyan pointed to the lack of confidence of the public in the judiciary system, saying there is the need to establish bodies of "transitional justice."
He said he had declined the vicious practice of ordering judges what kind of rulings to issue, but "this does not mean that some judges should receive orders from representatives of previous corrupt authorities."
"I consider it very important that given the current state of the judicial system, we have serious discussions and decide to establish "transitional justice" bodies in the near future, not only because many corrupt representatives of the judiciary disregard the people's revolution, but also because there are numerous problems in the legislation," Zeynalyan told reporters.
In particular, he pointed out the law on illegal enrichment that came into force on June 1, 2017. According to Zeynalyan, this makes it difficult the return of the money stolen by officials before that date.
"But I urge you not to confuse this with extraordinary courts. The courts will not be dissolved, the provisions of the Constitution will not be violated," Zeynalyan said. He also said that “transitional justice" is a recognized practice in the world. -0-
Addressing tens of thousands of Armenians who gathered in central Republic Square to mark the first 100 days of new government, Pashinyan pointed to the lack of confidence of the public in the judiciary system, saying there is the need to establish bodies of "transitional justice."
He said he had declined the vicious practice of ordering judges what kind of rulings to issue, but "this does not mean that some judges should receive orders from representatives of previous corrupt authorities."
"I consider it very important that given the current state of the judicial system, we have serious discussions and decide to establish "transitional justice" bodies in the near future, not only because many corrupt representatives of the judiciary disregard the people's revolution, but also because there are numerous problems in the legislation," Zeynalyan told reporters.
In particular, he pointed out the law on illegal enrichment that came into force on June 1, 2017. According to Zeynalyan, this makes it difficult the return of the money stolen by officials before that date.
"But I urge you not to confuse this with extraordinary courts. The courts will not be dissolved, the provisions of the Constitution will not be violated," Zeynalyan said. He also said that “transitional justice" is a recognized practice in the world. -0-
