Khatia Dekanoidze: The changes presented regarding the court do not ensure the fulfillment of the two main recommendations of the Venice Commission

The changes presented regarding the court do not ensure the fulfillment of the two main recommendations of the Venice Commission, opposition MP Khatia Dekanoidze, who is attending the meeting of the working group related to judicial reform, told journalists.

According to her, the legislative changes presented by the majority do not ensure the elimination of problems related to impartiality or corporatism.

"The main question I have is how willing they are to reflect the two main recommendations of the Venice Commission in the amendments: impartiality and elimination of corporatism. I haven't heard the answer yet, because the presented amendments do not ensure the fulfillment of the two main recommendations of the Venice Commission," said Dekanoidze.

As for the majority's suggestion that the opposition nominate their preferred candidates for membership of the Council of Justice by the end of the day, Dekanoidze considers it an ultimatum and states that the opposition will not accept the ultimatum, although they are ready to hold a consultation with the majority and consider the full list of candidates.

"Election of independent non-judge members by a high quorum would undermine clan rule and corporatism in the judicial system, which is one of the most important recommendations of the Venice Commission. Therefore, speaking in the language of yesterday's ultimatum, this is not how a political process happens. We need independent members, we cannot accept talking in the language of an ultimatum. Therefore, my suggestion, as well as that of other members of the opposition, was that, as we agreed during the political consultations in December, another consultation, a meeting should be held to go through the candidates on whom the reform of the courts in Georgia will depend. Because the reform of the High Council of Justice is one of the most important things that our partners are talking about. Anri Okhanashvili's position was to meet in a narrow format, in the session hall, and go through this issue. My position is that the representatives of the opposition and the majority should go through the full list of candidates and that we ensure the selection of independent candidates, only this will be considered a reform," said Dekanoidze.