A new asset declaration system for judges and their families is being launched in Uzbekistan. An important element of this initiative will be the introduction of compliance control and the creation of transparent procedures for recruiting staff in the judiciary. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev approved these measures, according to information from his press service.
The ideas were presented in the annual report by Kholmumin Yodgorov, the chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), who discussed with the president the issues facing justice and the state of the fight against corruption in the judicial system.
In his Address to the Parliament and the people in December last year, Mirziyoyev noted that corruption is a betrayal of reforms, emphasizing the need for urgent measures to prevent it. He stressed that the courts, as an independent branch of power, should serve as a model for creating a "clean" environment.
The Supreme Judicial Council is responsible for protecting the independence of judges from external pressure. To improve staff training, the Academy of Justice has been established.
According to Yodgorov, 135 new judges were appointed for the first time last year, 286 were reappointed, and a body of 241 investigative judges was formed.
During the reporting period, the powers of 59 judges were terminated early.
Of these:
- 19 were dismissed for violating their oath and the norms of the Code of Judicial Ethics;
- 3 were brought to criminal responsibility.
In addition, 58 judges were demoted, 33 were deemed unsuitable for further appointment, and 266 faced disciplinary measures.
According to the report, 5 submissions regarding interference in the work of the courts were sent to the General Prosecutor's Office. A function for reporting violations of judicial immunity has also appeared on the council's website.
SJC representatives analyzed more than 6,000 orders issued by the chairpersons of territorial courts. As a result, it was found that in 231 documents, 314 judges were assigned duties beyond their competence. Appropriate measures have been taken to rectify the situation.
The speaker also noted that to relieve judges of inappropriate functions, international experience in creating a "judicial administration" institution is being explored, which will address staffing, material-technical, and organizational issues of judicial activities.
Additionally, it was proposed to create a Disciplinary Board of Judges to ensure fair application of disciplinary sanctions. The president supported this initiative, as clarified by the press service.
The meeting also discussed measures to ensure gender equality in the judicial system, and plans were outlined for celebrating March 10 — International Women Judges Day.
