Georgia’s Supreme Court Chair Resigns
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Friday, August 3
Head of Georgia’s Supreme Court, the first female chairperson in the role, Nino Gvenetadze, announced about her resignation “because of health problems,” on Thursday.
Gvenetadze, 54, who also chaired the High Council of Justice, an independent body responsible for the fair judiciary in Georgia, stated that her treatment abroad required several months.
Members of the Georgian Dream majority say that some wanted to see “political aspects” in the resignation when an individual taking such a high post could face health problems.
Members of the High Council of Justice Nazi Janezashvili and Anna Dolidze say that Gvenetadze has been “continuously suppressed” and faced complications on a daily basis in her fight to make the court system healthier.
Dolidze stated that Gvenetadze who received a “very poor inheritance” has fought alone for improvements, which required “huge energy and efforts.”
“She was alone in the situation when the country’s ruling force had no will to provide genuine changes in the court system,” Dolidze said.
Member of the Georgian Dream Gia Volski stated that some have tried to connect Gvenetadze’s resignation to politics when someone, taking a high state post, could face health problems due to much work and daily stress.
Until the president selects his candidate for the post and parliament votes for the nominee, deputy head of the Supreme Court will fulfill Gvenetadze’s duties, while the High Council of Justice secretary will temporarily replace her.
In a special statement released about the resignation, Gvenetadze spoke about achievements under her leadership, including the lifetime appointment of judges in the Supreme Court, innovative Juvenile Justice Code and electronic distribution of cases between judges.
When parliament approved Gvenetadze in March 2015 she stated that her primary goal was to “continue the reform of the court, to fight for the independence and impartiality of the court and to prioritize human rights.”
"This requires a big effort from and support from the legislative body. Legislature reform is a prerequisite for the independence of the judiciary. My colleagues and I have struggled for justice, and today is a historic day for me,” she said.
In 2015 Gvenetadze was elected as the Chair of the Supreme Court for ten years.
