If we inspect the integrity of the judges entering the new system now, we will launch—with the 2022-2026 strategy for Armenia’s judicial and legal reforms—that the integrity of all working judges be inspected. Minister of Justice Karen Andreasyan announced this while presenting the aforesaid draft strategy at Thursday’s Cabinet session of the government.

"This will be a most major way in the fight against corruption. An integrity inspection is planned also for prosecutors, investigators, employees of the penitentiary system, and of a number of other domains.

Another important step is to provide for the possibility of appealing disciplinary decisions at the SJC[ (Supreme Judicial Council)]," Andreasyan added.

In his turn, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan noted that the Armenian authorities are justly criticized, that reforms in the judicial branch of power in Armenia have not had sufficient success and intensity.

"However, the other day, I noted that Armenia has leading positions in a number of directions among the countries of Eastern Partnership, and the title ‘independent judicial system’ is also on that list. On the one hand, it is good that we demand more from ourselves, but according to the records of our international partners, we have made very significant progress. Armenia is a leader also in the directions of election credibility, fight against corruption, and freedom of speech," the PM added.