Judges' Forum and Prosecutor's Association ask Parliament to reject modifications to Justice laws

The Judges' Forum and the Prosecutors' Association ask Parliament to reject the legislative package to amend the Justice laws, the two professional associations announcing they reserve their right to protest by all legal means against these modifications.

In a Friday release, the Judges' Forum and the Prosecutors' Association give an alarm signal about "the unjustified and non-procedural haste" through which this legislative package is promoted. 

"The only solution to overcome this critical situation is resuming dialogue, based on the institutional transparency principles, so the modification of these laws, fundamental for the rule of law functioning, be done only after conducting some impact studies, a real consultation with the civil society, the Superior Council of Magistrates, the magistrates' body, the Venice Commission, and their adoption enjoy the confidence of Romania's citizens, contribute to the good functioning and modernisation of the judicial system and not affect the independence of justice, a fundamental guarantee of democracy. We give once more an alarm signal about the unjustified and non-procedural haste of promoting this legislative package, without having presented solid and credible arguments referring to the modifications proposed, aspects which are seriously breaching the recommendations of the European Commission Report within the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism," the release signatories say. 

The two associations also accuse the fact that the debate on the law package in Parliament was done without taking into account the point of view of the majority of magistrates. 

The Judges' Forum and the Prosecutors' Association announce they reserve their right to protest by all legal means against these modifications. 

Furthermore, the Judges' Forum and the Prosecutors' Association ask the CSM to adopt a call-statement to Parliament and the Government.