“Assigning judges must be fully entrusted to the Supreme Council of Judges” – President

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan paid attention to the main priorities of the judicial-legal sphere during his address to the parliament.

It was emphasized that there is a need to further improve the system of selection and appointment of candidates for the judiciary in order to ensure the genuine independence of the system.

“The selection of candidates for the judiciary should be improved. Appointment of judges in towns and districts should be entrusted to the Supreme Council of Judges. Now all the rights are on the president’s hands.

I am presented a candidate for judiciary, he is perfectly described and I will sign it. Tomorrow – six months later, he gets involved in corruption and gets sacked.

Now the president will not sign it, this will be done by the Council of judges,” the president said.

The President emphasized the need to increase public participation in this process.

“It is necessary to fully adapt the judiciary formation system to the principle of independence of the judiciary authority and ensure public participation in this process. For this purpose, appointment of judges for district, city and regional courts should be supervised by the Supreme Judiciary Council. Public opinion and accountability towards them should be fully reflected in this regard,” UzA quoted the President’s statement.

“At present, the system of selection and appointment of judges is changing completely. In order to prevent illegal interference in this process, candidates are being selected on the basis of open, transparent and alternative choices.

Now the issues of public opinion and accountability towards them are fully reflected in the selection of judges in compliance with the requirements set by the President. This ensures transparency in the system and most importantly, will allow worthy individuals to become judges.

Appointment of judges for the district, city and regional courts is entrusted to Judiciary Council. Thus, accountability of the entire community of judges in the system has increased,” the report said.