Georgian Minister Explains Reforms in Justice on Long Route to Democracy












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            * Georgian Minister Explains Reforms in Justice on Long Route to Democracy
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            'The route to democracy is difficult,' explained Tea Tsulukiani, Minister of Justice for G

            21st November, the Faculty of Law was pleased to host Ms Tsulukiani for a short but detail
            changes taking place in Georgia in light of relations with the European Union.
            Although Georgia currently does not hold any official status as a candidate for membership

            in recent years Georgian political figures have expressed the wish to participate in enlar
            European Union in an attempt to become more independent of the pressures of Russian influe
            guests invited to speak at Charles University at this time of year, Ms Tsulukiani mentione

            of the 25th anniversary of the Czech Republic's Velvet Revolution the influence the Czech 
            strengthening and achieving democracy has had on her country's political agenda.

            Ms Tsulukiani advised as to the existence of two key pillars of documentation relating to 
            the Justice Department of Georgia in light of Georgian relations with the EU – the Associa
            signed in June 2014, and the Action Plan laying out objectives for stable cooperation betw

            and the EU. Europeanisation of the country requires governance in line with the establishe
            of rule of law, protection of human rights and fair and equal justice. With regards to the
            contemporary European society, three different waves of reforms have taken place in the ju

            Georgia's Government, focused on isolating the judiciary from the executive powers and out
            in order to retain and strengthen the impartiality of judges in the country, and for two y
            Council of Justice has been free from the influence of politics. This depoliticisation of 

            tier of judges ensures more democratic judicial proceedings. Further work is required in t
            sector, according to Ms Tsulukiani, in particular on the Prosecutor's Office, the provisio
            – which has so far been guaranteed as independent and transparent by new laws in December 

            Criminal Code of Georgia which already has seen reforms to ensure compatibility with human
            Minister mentioned a number of reforms on a diverse range of topics, including LGBTQ right
            for whistleblowers, and freedom of information. These and other reforms to the judiciary o

            emphasise the overall tone of these waves of change – transparency of regulation and proce
            between parties as the motivating factors.
            Ms Tsulukiani also highlighted the success of the country in reducing and maintaining low 

            corruption. The Minister noted that this has hugely positive ramifications for the country
            through increased investment which in turn encourages economic activity and growth. As the
            Justice, Ms Tsulukiani herself chairs the Anti-Corruption Governmental Council and invites

            business leaders from different sectors, academics and experts in the field to ensure that
            Department is informed on how best to continue fighting against corruption on the elite-le
            Concluding the list of reforms which already have and will in the future take place, Ms Ts

            expressed her belief in respect for the work of political predecessors. She stated that be
            Government is able to remain in power and in control of reformation indefinitely, all she 
            colleagues can hope for is to leave behind a legacy 'so good that the next Government will

            build on it.' It seems that regardless of whether Georgia's accession to the European Unio
            the near future, Ms Tsulukiani and her colleagues will continue in their determination to 
            democratic and just society for her successor to improve upon in line with European princi
                                                                                                      
                                                                                                      
            By: Rachael Jane Ruth is a third year Law student from the University of Glasgow, Scotland
            European exchange experience and to further her interests in literature, music and interna