In order to achieve a new quality of justice, some measures may seem extraordinary, but without them, the judiciary could remain at the mercy of interest groups, stated President Maia Sandu during a press briefing held together with Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, IPN reports.
Maia Sandu said that some actions promoted in the justice could be interpreted as extraordinary, but they are justified by the extraordinary circumstances which the government faces today.
“Our actions reach deep interests of corrupt groups that have been rooted and consolidated in corruption schemes over the years, and they put up fierce resistance. We need actions that can break the vicious circle of the influence of corrupt groups on Moldovan prosecutors and judges. Otherwise, justice risks remaining hostage to narrow interest groups, leaving people with a bitter feeling of injustice, and we cannot admit the perpetuation of this situation”, said Maia Sandu.
“Our goal is to strengthen democratic institutions in Moldova, and the monitoring of Moldova by the Parliamentary Assembly will continue until we reach this goal”, added the Moldovan president.
Marija Pejčinović Burić noted the good cooperation of Moldova with the CoE and welcomed the implementation of assistance projects included in the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova for the years 2021-2024, which was launched in April in Strasbourg, building on the strategic cooperation previously initiated.
The provisions included are able to help align legislation, institutions and practice with European standards in the areas of human rights, the rule of law and democracy. At the same time, they aim at ensuring the integrity and independence of justice actors, combating violence against children and women, overcoming the challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting the press and other areas of interest for Moldova.
