Freedom of speech should not be used to make unfounded accusations  against judges - SJC

ArmInfo.The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) expresses concern over a number of recent  social media posts by lawyers targeting judges, which not only violate professional ethics but also seek to discredit the authority of judges and the entire judicial system. This was stated in a  statement by the SJC.

"We urge you to refrain from publishing defamatory and offensive  information about judges. The Supreme Judicial Council, within its  constitutional powers, ensures the guarantee of the independence of  judges and the protection of the reputation of the judiciary. It is  seriously concerning that some representatives of another important  institution involved in the administration of justice - the legal  community - present their own decisions to the public as the absolute  truth on public platforms. It is noteworthy that these lawyers  sometimes use soothing formulations such as "in my opinion," "it  seems," "I believe" to protect themselves. At the same time, lawyers  with a large audience on social networks successfully use the  following predictable scheme: publishing their own decisions  regarding judges, posting photographs of judges, distributing them in  the press, creating a reason for discussion on social networks, which  at some point develops into a discussion of other topics. It should  be noted that this predictable scheme is also used by lawyer Ara  Zohrabyan, Rector of the Academy of Advocacy. We would like to remind  you that freedom of speech cannot and should not be used to put  forward "Unfounded accusations against judges and their persecution,"  the Supreme Judicial Council stated.

According to its authors, these phenomena not only threaten the  independence of the judiciary but also hinder the effective  administration of justice.

"The Supreme Judicial Council considers such approaches unacceptable  and calls on lawyers to be guided by the principles of proper  professional conduct, mutual respect, and responsibility in their  expression, and to recognize that justice belongs to everyone, and we  are all responsible for its effectiveness," the statement emphasized.