Romania’s government and judiciary face criticism for systemic abuse of power. Journalists and activists support reforms of the legal system.
Dozens of Romanian journalists and several NGOs signed an open letter on Wednesday in support of Recorder.ro and its investigative piece Justiție capturata (Captured Justice). Protests have been held for several days in support of judges and prosecutors who have publicly criticized systemic judicial abuse and political influence. TASR writes about it according to the AFP agency.
- Romanian journalists supported the website Recorder.ro and its investigative reporting.
- The protests draw attention to political influence in the judicial system.
- The film on YouTube criticized corruption and manipulations in justice.
- Transparency International called Romania a country heavily affected by corruption.
- The President promised a discussion on justice reforms within two months.
The two-hour documentary has garnered over 4.7 million views on YouTube since its release on December 9. It was also broadcast by public television TVR1, which ensured a great reach. He describes a system in which politicians have provided laws that have created a pyramidal organization of justice and put all the power in the hands of a small group of judges, who in turn no longer “disrupt” those in power. Corruption cases are postponed, extended or dismissed due to the statute of limitations.
Corruption in the judiciary
According to Transparency International’s corruption perception index, Romania ranks among the most affected in the EU. Pointing to a sensitive place in the judicial system caused the displeasure of influential people, AFP reported.
An open letter from journalists and NGOs published on Wednesday condemned the “repeated and aggressive attacks” on the work of the Recorder, especially from important positions in the judiciary. Demonstrators demand the dismissal of the Minister of Justice and other high-ranking representatives of the judiciary, as well as changes in laws and strengthening of the independence of the judiciary.
President to reform
During a visit to Great Britain on Tuesday, President Nicușor Dan told a group of protesters outside the Romanian embassy in London: “We will have a discussion, we will make changes.” “But I don’t want to do it in a week or ten days. Let’s say in two months so it can be something stable,” he stated.
The Bucharest Court of Appeal, one of those targeted by the Recorder’s investigation, held a press conference last week and complained about “public incitement against the constitutional order.” In a statement, the section of judges of the Supreme Judicial Council refers to the “intensification of the campaign to destabilize the judiciary by undermining trust in the justice system.”
The first step to change
However, in an open letter, hundreds of ordinary judges and prosecutors condemn “deep and systemic dysfunctions” in the system, and demand its reform, including mechanisms for the nomination of judges.
