Everyone should be well aware that the decision of the Conference of Judges is neither an “incomprehensible” nor a “fifth step back”, but an expression of the independence of the judiciary. Such a statement was released by the Administrative Committee of the Conference of Judges of Georgia.

“We want to respond to the assessments on the election of the members of the High Council of Justice of Georgia on October 31 of this year by the Conference of Judges, as they are clearly exaggerated, unjustified and contradictory.

We remind all subjects that Georgia is an independent state, whose judiciary also operates independently, without interference and obeys only the law. According to Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, all employees of the diplomatic mission accredited in Georgia, including their superiors, are obliged to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state and not to interfere in its internal affairs.

We declare with full responsibility that the judiciary of Georgia always strictly adheres to political neutrality and resolves issues within its competence only on the basis of law, independently of all outside entities.

Therefore, everyone, including any official or organization, should be well aware that this decision of the Conference of Judges is neither “incomprehensible” nor “a step backwards”, but - it is an expression of the independence of the judiciary, the realization of the principle of separation of powers.

Most importantly, this decision will not harm Georgia’s European integration process in any way, because it is the interference in the work of the judiciary and its independent activity that is the cornerstone of the Western rule of law, without which there is no democracy and no rule of law”, - reads the statement.