Georgia, Tbilisi, April 17 / Trend, N. Kirtzkhalia /
The co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee of the Council of Europe on Georgia Michael Aastrup Jensen (Denmark) and Boris Tsilevich (Latvia) welcome the reform of the justice system in Georgia.
On their return to Strasbourg after a four-day visit to Georgia, they stated that "these reforms will significantly increase the degree of independence of the justice system".
"This is an important step forward. Although it should be noted that the reform of the High Council of Justice is still the subject of dispute between the majority and the minority. Based on this, we called on both sides to reach a compromise and agreement on the transitional provisions of the reform of the High Council of Justice that will strengthen perception of the judicial system as an independent body," co-rapporteurs said.
As for to the European Charter of regional languages and minority languages, the co-rapporteurs noted that the disagreement was caused by incorrect perceptions of the document. They stressed the Charter is a tool for strengthening national unity and the law of Georgia on the state language fulfills the requirements of the Charter with excess in many respects. Based on this, they urged the government to seek international assistance for the organization of outreach campaigns for all stakeholders along with the civil society and media.
This campaign will help to eliminate all the controversies. The signing and adoption of the Charter will be possible in the near future, as this is an important requirement for the country.
In connection with the situation in local government, the PACE co-rapporteurs welcomed the announcement by the Prime Minister of Georgia on the establishment of a department, responsible for investigating cases of violence and pressure on public employees to retirement.
Creation of such a department will be a warning to activists of all parties on the unacceptability of the pressure on the officials.