EU Parliament Expresses Concerns With Romania's Judicial Reform In Draft Resolution

The European Parliament is very concerned with Romania’s judicial overhaul and its potential to undermine judicial independence, according to a draft document of a resolution set to be voted later this month, seen by MEDIAFAX.

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The document is a work-in-progress version of what will be the final resolution, but is very critical towards the ruling PSD-ALDE coalition’s efforts to modify judicial bills, while also noting other controversial events in the country.

In it, the EU body condemns what it calls a “violent and disproportionate intervention” of law enforcement at an anti-government rally on August 10, which left more than 500 participants in need of medical assistance.

The EU Parliament also declares itself very concerned with regards to the country’s judicial overhaul and its potential to “structurally undermine the independence of the judicial system” and the country’s fight against corruption, while weakening the rule of law.

The institution also cites a recent anti-money laundering bill which brings additional financial reporting obligations for NGOs and the dismissal of former National Anticorruption Directorate as points concerns.

The document ends with nine recommendations for Romanian authorities, but also for EU monitoring institutions, most of them related to the judicial reform.

Romanian lawmakers are advised to counteract any measures which would decriminalize corruption while in office, to reconsider legislation on NGO financing and draft bills sanctioning defamation of Romania abroad, and to fully apply all recommendations made by the European Commission, GRECO and the Venice Commission on the issue of judicial bills.

The Parliament also requests the European Commission to closely monitor the fight against corruption in member states and the measures taken by Romanian authorities based on these recommendations.

The resolution is due to be discussed during Wednesday’s meet of the Parliament’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs committee, according to Romanian ruling coalition MEP Gabriela Zoana.

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