Armenian parliament discusses judicial reforms program for 2011-2016.

The Jan. 20 discussions of the legal and judicial reforms program for 2011-2016 in Armenia’s parliament focused on the judicial system’s independence.

With this end in view, the participants proposed reforms in mechanism of administrative responsibility of judges.

A proposal was made to hold judges responsible for failing to properly perform their duties, which undermines public confidence in the judicial system.

Armenia’s Minister of Justice Hrair Tovmasyan thoroughly presented the program, which was drafted by the Ministry of Justice.

Speaking of a number of important points, Minister Tovmasyan singled out instruments for rendering alternative judicial services, which will allow prisoners to be involved in social activities.

The minister also stressed the problem of judges’ salaries. Although they have recently been raised, they are not yet sufficient for ensuring judges’ independence and impartiality.

Representatives of Armenia’s judicial system are sure that the program deals with almost all the problems of the system, making it transparent and affordable.

David Harutyunyan, Chairman of the Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs, noted that serious works has been done, but the judicial system needs further reforms.