Member of the Supreme Judicial Council Hayk Hovhannisyan Resigns

Member of the Supreme Judicial Council Hayk Hovhannisyan has submitted his resignation. He announced this on his Facebook page. Hovhannisyan wrote:

“Dear compatriots, today I have submitted my resignation for the following reasons. In accordance with my oath before the people of the Republic of Armenia, since taking up a high office, I have initiated and led a number of programs aimed at enhancing the effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of the courts and complying with international best practices. I am convinced that the launch and implementation of these programs will increase public trust in the judicial authority and will contribute to improving the competitiveness of Armenia's economic field and the attractiveness of the investment environment.

Unfortunately, the operation of the Supreme Judicial Council, as an independent constitutional body, does not correspond to the international best practices of judicial councils. At the same time, I was obliged to bring the programs I have been implementing to a logical conclusion and did not find it appropriate to resign earlier. I am convinced that judicial reforms must be implemented urgently and effectively, which I have repeatedly voiced.

However, several ideas and programs proposed by me are not prioritized by the Council. Considering the aforementioned, today I have submitted my resignation request to the Supreme Judicial Council, urging that the issue of my powers be discussed in my absence.”