Armenian Ombudsman: “We have two urgent problems to settle”
Unfair judges are considered to be the enemies of the public, says Armenian Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan.
"I am sure that the escalating emigration and distrust in our society are due to unfair judges. I think that we all have two problems to settle in Armenia - bread and justice. Once these two vital issues are addressed, people will feel satisfied and content. All other human rights derive from the right to fair trial," Karen Andreasyan said during today's forum on "The Right to Fair Trial."
The Armenian ombudsman today gave a legal assessment to unfair judicial proceedings. Andreasyan suggests fighting against flawed phenomena with laws.
"But laws do not work in Armenia. You may wonder why. Is the reason the independence of courts or judicial permissiveness? Are judges independent of the executive body? Or are they independent of the law?" he said.
Karen Andreasyan says he does not seek to make a scapegoat out of the courts; they deserve respect.
"No one can be happy or proud by criticizing a judge or attacking a judge's high rank. The judge's high calling cannot be devalued in the eyes of the public. Those who judge fairly deserve great honours. Fair judges are worthy of being called a hero, we should recognize and praise them for their work," he stressed.
To add, 40% of citizens who have appealed to the Ombudsman's Office complain of unfair trials.
