Call for Resignations of Participants in Scandalous Recording

A number of organizations have issued a statement regarding the recording published by Ruben Vardazaryan, the suspended president of the Supreme Judicial Council, in which he speaks with acting president of the Council Gagik Djhangiryan and Council member Stepan Mkhitaryan.

The statement reads as follows:

“On June 20, 2022, during a press conference called by Ruben Vardazaryan, the suspended president of the Supreme Judicial Council, a recording of a conversation between Ruben Vardazaryan, acting president of the Council Gagik Djhangiryan, and Council member Stepan Mkhitaryan was made public. The released conversation includes information regarding the possible motives behind criminal cases initiated against Ruben Vardazaryan, apparent facts of interference in the administration of criminal justice and the examination of criminal cases, which raises serious concerns regarding the independence and impartiality of the authorities conducting criminal proceedings, the effectiveness of criminal justice, as well as the independence and integrity of the judiciary and judges.

The mission of the Supreme Judicial Council, as a guarantor of the independence of courts and judges, requires that the Supreme Judicial Council and its members reflect the impartiality, independence, and effectiveness of the judiciary, enjoying both the trust of the system and the public, and acting as a symbol of justice. The members of the Supreme Judicial Council must be trustworthy and exemplary in their public image, conduct, and statements for the entire society.

However, the published recording once again proves that the problems in the judicial system originate from the body whose purpose and mission are to solve those issues—a body that, through its leadership, is more often associated with public disgrace and shame.

The details of the conversation involving the members of the Supreme Judicial Council are absolutely unacceptable and condemnable. In such circumstances, the further activities of the Council are impossible with the participation of the individuals involved in the published conversation. Their immediate resignation is in the interests of the judicial authority and justice. The continued tenure of these individuals is likely to further increase the prevailing deep public distrust toward the Supreme Judicial Council and the judiciary.

Simultaneously, we again note that such manifestations within the judicial and legal system are the results of the authorities’ failure to implement vetting and transitional justice. The necessity of vetting and lustration within the judicial and law enforcement systems has been repeatedly raised by representatives of civil society and the legal community, for which the current government has shown no political will.

Emphasizing the importance of ensuring the normal functioning of the Supreme Judicial Council and increasing public trust in the judiciary, as well as forming healthy perceptions, we demand:

• The immediate resignation of all members of the Supreme Judicial Council who participated in the published conversation;
• An objective, complete, and effective investigation into the information disclosed by the participants in the published conversation;
• An objective, complete, and effective investigation into the criminal cases under review and not initiated against Ruben Vardazaryan;
• Implement suitable legislative regulations to conduct comprehensive vetting in the judicial and legal system, starting with the current composition of the Supreme Judicial Council.”

Organizations involved include: Amnesty International, Helsinki Citizen Assembly Vanadzor Office, Open Society Foundations - Armenia, Rights Development and Protection Fund, Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center, Journalists' Forum Club, and the Union of Informed Citizens.