The new Law on the Prosecution Service, which was promulgated by presidential decree on March 16, was published in the Official Gazette on March 25. The law will take effect on August 1, 2016, after amendments are made to the related legislation that regulates the work of the prosecution service and the departmental normative documents are adjusted to the new law, IPN reports.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, among the main goals that are to be achieved by implementing the new regulations are to increase the independence and responsibility of prosecutors and to ensure the principles of legality and respect for the human rights at all the prosecution stages and the quality of work of the rule of law institutions involved in prosecution and trying.

The law provides for the reduction in the number of senior prosecutors and strengthening of the capacities of the self-management bodies of prosecutors. It also clearly defines the powers of the Prosecutor’s Office.

The bill on the prosecution service was drafted by a working group led by a representative of civil society. This included officials of the prosecution service and the Ministry of Justice and representatives of civil society. Advisers of the EU Public Policy Counseling Mission for Moldova were included as observers in the group.

The bill was debated publicly and was appraised by national and international institutions, including the Venice Commission.