Delegation of Venice Commission in Romania

A delegation of the Venice Commission arrived on Monday, 11 June in Romania, for a two day visit, with the aim to exchange views on the recent draft laws revising the Romanian laws on judicial organization, on the Superior Council of Magistracy and on the statute of judges and prosecutors.

On the Agenda in Bucharest – meetings with President Klaus Iohannis, Justice Minister Tudorel Toader, representatives of the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), General Prosecutor’s Office, Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM), High Court of Cassation and Justice, Constitutional Court and MPs from the Special Parliamentary Committee assigned with amending the laws of justice, associations of judges and prosecutors and civil society organizations.

Both the President of Romania and the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe have requested the opinion of the Venice Commission on the three draft laws. These bring changes to magistrates’ status and the way the local justice system is organized and some fear they will bring back political control over the prosecutors.

Venice Commission was also notified by the Romanian Constitutional Court in connection with the attacks against this institution.

Source:RRA,Venice Commission (Council of Europe)