Non-judge members of the High Council of Justice, Nazi Janezashvili and Ana Dolidze, have sent letters to 278 judges. The two non-judge members reported about it at a briefing on January 23.

“Dear judges, we have decided to apply to you today because we think that it’s impossible to make an independent court unless each judge is free. The December 24, 2018 decision of the High Council of Justice, to nominate 10 judges as the candidates of the Supreme Court judges, appeared the problems facing the judicial branch of the government. It is noteworthy to say that the High Council of Justice has selected 10 candidates from 294 judges so that it had not even held a discussion on other judges or potential candidates.

Today, the judiciary stands at the crossroads: whether the court will be based on internal democratic governance, will serve the lawful state and people, or will further go far away from the principles of the rule of law and justice and share the interests of one narrow group,” the letter reads.

As Nazi Janezashvili and Ana Dolidze say in the letter each honest and competent judge is precious to them. “Your choice is decisive at this crossroads. Steps taken by you to support a fair and independent court, in any form, will significantly strengthen this aspiration.

On January 26 of this year, the 25th Extraordinary Conference of Judges is scheduled, which will discuss the recent developments around the Court and the High Council of Justice. In this respect, we call on you to protect a state and public interest; And to take into account that the country needs an independent and accountable court. But many of you may be under pressure, internal censorship and self-censorship.

Consequently, we would like to inform you that we will do our best to protect the rights of those judges for whom individual independence is more important than corporate interests or loyalty towards the narrow group,” reads the letter.