On October 25, a professional dialogue entitled “Judicial Ethics” was held in Yerevan, organized by the Prosecutor General's Office, within the framework of the 105^th anniversary of the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Armenia.

At the invitation of Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan, the dialogue was conducted by Armenuhi Amy Ashvanyan, a Judge of the Supreme Court of the U.S. State of California, member of the Armenian Law Society.

Anna Vardapetyan - Prosecutor General of the RA, Karen Andreasyan - President of the Supreme Judicial Council, Lilit Tadevosyan - President of the Court of Cassation, Anahit Manasyan - Human Rights Defender and Yeghishe Kirakosyan - Representative for International Legal Affairs of the RA had welcome speeches during the event.

The Prosecutor General emphasized the importance of organizing discussions in that format and stressed out that the quality if integrity should become a lifestyle. “Ethics is one of the foundations of statehood. A good person has respect for all state symbols and institutions. I really want the behavior of such persons to be a standard for young lawyers” - said Anna Vardapetyan.

Karen Andreasyan, President of the Supreme Judicial Council congratulated the 105^th anniversary of the Prosecutor's Office and said that a new culture can be noticed in the system of the Prosecutor's Office, which had long-standing traditions: the approach and attitude towards colleagues had changed. “The topic of the event is actual. Indeed, we have serious ethical issues in the courtroom. We need to redefine the principles of ethics, discipline, integrity. In the modern world, it is a constantly-evolving topic” - said the President of the Supreme Judicial Council.

Lilit Tadevosyan, the President of the Court of Cassation, expressed her gratitude to the Prosecutor General of RA for the invitation to the actual event and emphasized that the judicial system was in the stage of active reforms. The President of the Court of Cassation emphasized that every participant in the trial, every member of society should act under the rules of integrity in the courtroom.

Anahit Manasyan, Human Rights Defender emphasized the concepts of ethics in the social system and their realization. “The ideas of solidarity and tolerance are at the basis of the protection of human rights. Without the actual implementation of these ideas, it is impossible to have a proper human rights protection system. From that point of view, it is very important that we have a proper image, both as officials and as members of society” – noted Anahit Manasyan.

According to Yeghishe Kirakosyan, the Representative for International Legal Affairs ethics is nothing else but the most important basis for strengthening statehood. It is logical that in young countries like Armenia, where state institutions are in the stage of establishment, ethics is one of the primary issues, and it should be discussed from the stage of receiving professional education.

During the thematic discussions, Armenuhi Amy Ashvanyan highlighted the importance of organizing a dialogue on the topic of ethics between judges and prosecutors, as well as referred to ethical issues in the courtroom and outside the courtroom.