We did not make much progress as regards judicial organization, CReDO head

“We did not make much progress as regards the judicial organization, but have important discussions over the justice reform,” the head of the Resource Center for Human Rights (CreDO), Sergiu Ostafs has told Info-Prim Neo. “If we interpret the broad, European meaning of the word justice, which covers the judicial system, the police system, the functioning of the courts of law and institutions that maintain public order, the situation is as follows: we have several bills under examination, including bills with amendments to laws aimed at making the judiciary more transparent and responsible,” said Sergiu Ostaf. These amendments have not been yet adopted, but are being discussed by the council for the reform of the justice system and the working groups of the Ministry of Justice. According to Sergiu Ostaf, the elimination of the economic courts was an important initiative. “The given changes have not yet come into force, but will have a powerful impact on the functioning, independence and quality of justice in the area of economy. We will probably feel the effects 3-4 months after they take effect,” he stated. As to the government’s attempts to substitute discredited persons, like the president of the Supreme Court of Justice Ion Muruianu, the CreDO head said the procedure was not respected during the first attempt and thus the whole judicial system was shaken. Sergiu Ostaf also said that there are intentions to introduce amendments that will bring about positive changes in the judicial system, but they will be implemented not sooner than October, November or December. The justice reform is based on four elements: reformation of the civil procedure, reformation of the penal procedure, judicial organization and reformation of the prosecutor’s office. Working groups were created in all the four areas to draft relevant bills.