Coxuxrc r DE PR!5I

Comisia publlcE raportll prlvlnd progresele inregistratede Romania in cadrul Mecanlsmulul de cooperare 9l devaalflcanEPdpo.tul pElntl anallz. Comlselpnvlnd nlsurlle intcprlnse d€ Romanrsin lltrmele t.*lunl sl Indld domenrrle ude sunt n@re mlsu.l suDllmentac,Pre9.dhteh al|1!9 . dedn6t| .a6t 6po,t 6te publrGt tm.dlat dupl .l€gee. unuinou tu€m ln Ron5nr., P€ponul @pirnde Ecom.ndlrl dad prlvlnd sr!tu| de drepr 5ihdependenlE slstemulul ludrcrar, @e sper cl vo.ll um.te c6 pafte a retormel .nrte ind6lls!68 L tlom€nr., Au rost !u.te masu.r pentru . rdspunde prb@plrrror 96ve p€€e le-an dpnmat in luna rulre, r.r Eportul n6tru qDlrca in mod clar unde suntnecsc PoqBe suPllmenta€.'in lulle 2012, comlsl. tl-a publtcat rapoftll penodb pitvtnd pD9re$te inEgistrar. deRomtnb L @drul M@dsmulur de @eEc sr de Enfr€e. Pe iondut unor D@o5.ilmponante lp!rute pnvrnd staulr de dept 5r hdependenF srstemulu' ludrdar ontn,comBl. a tr.nsmls Ronanl.l o*ne de Boh.ndSrr. comrsrs a p6rat, deasemene!,.1$ase lunl mal teelu- v. pEzent un r.port prlvlnd modu in @re s-a dat cu6Eoh.ndarllo. $le. l. Eportul d. mon|tonaE ldopt t .srtn, codrsr. @Ntatl clRomlnr. a pus in aplroE lmle d|n t@mndldle ele, lG5 nu t6te, Rlp.rtul pelntl,de .$hene., Infomalla prrvrnd .lte .sp*te leqate de efoms sldemulul ludlclrr sl decomblte@ cotuptlel, kesta dennde nor .ecomandl.r ldE$te Rom€nrer, €re vor faceobletll monlrorlzSnl de <ltE comrsre.or to.re c, Epect @ consttlg.| 9l a hotlrldlor ponunFte d. cun@ constitution.lS ab5t ctabllltl, neBpect ea Indep.nd€nt€l slstemulul Jldldar fl Inst bllrt.te. d 6re se@nrruntE Insntullle Judrclsre .ln!n o suE! de iniruoEE, In rap.rtul comlsl€l ses!bll.l.zr, de .remen6, lhporllnl. numtrll unui nou Pr@Fr GeneEl 5l . un€l nol@nducen a DlEIer t{alronale andorupge 6E sa e buoe d.lno€derc. ophiei publtetl @re s5 f&! dov.d5 lndependenler, htegrrtlFr 5r pDfsronalrrmllur necese pentruobtlnerea unor @ult.t€ @nc€te in cohb.t€E. @rup!l€|,Re@mandanb comkrer sublrnraza, de .*nenea, E9onsbrlrtltea De 6e o au mrnlstriiti p.dament rll in a ofen un demplu in m.terre de Eped.E. antegdtllr.Plmtn incl multe de €.ut pentru a .ttnge obrecttvele fixate In @drul Mc1/. R.poftllprezlntl pnndp.lele ewlulrr drn ulumele 5!* lunr in eforma sr5tenulur ludlcr.. 9r mlsurr eadoptlte impornva @rupld, luSndu-* nota de @pacit t@ de Erst€nl6 in sltu.tir drndlea insr.nfelor tl . InstrtlHilor antt@ruplte.

Pia AhrenLil(r. H.nsenl4ark Grav (+32 2 294

(+32 2 29s 30 70)

Brutelles, 30 |rnuade 20I3

Comlsla va monltonb indeprpe pFq|ele ineqlstEte tl va adopta un no! Eportorlvlnd poeul de r€fom6 inarnte de sfirsrhrl acstur an.

contextLa I lanuarle 2007, Conlsl. a Instltult un meddsm de @plraE 5l vedn@re pentru aevaloa ang6lbnentele asumate de Romanra in domenrul reformer srstemlllrludrcrar sr al@mbaterll @rupllel, comrsrer I s-a elrcitat sa prelnte in mod regulat !n 6pot pdvlndprcgGele inEglstEte in a@ste domenll. comlsla a pre4ntat p.lmul s6u 6pod 13271(nle 2007 9l de.tuncl intocmette Epoarte *mestrrale. ftap@rtele comlslel slntcompletate de un document de lucru .l *rulclllor Comlslel in oE se rretnta o analrzidetallati a pmgre*lor inreglstEte d pnvlE la fieore dlntrc oblectrv€le de referrnli

Analla Comlslel * b.zeazt p€ o evaluaE a proqEselor Eallate de autodt llle romSne,pEum 9l pe tnfom.Ilib pEzent te de st tele m€mber de otganrz.lrr rntemalronale, deexpe4l lndependenll, precum 9l p€ Infomatll dln dlveR .lt€ suEe. Conrsra a int€prrnsmalmulte mlslunlin RomSnh, r€p@rtele lu6nd, de.*menearin conslderar€ rgspunsunledate de Romanla la chsnomedet llate pregStlt€ de comlsl€,

ultlmul 6Dort an@l . fo6t Dubll@t la l8lulte 2012.

ttaportul este dieponibil pe slte-ul urmitol:http://*.euroba.eulrym/indq b.hlm

>t-- S,****"

[...X2013) xxx .hn

IDIIOIT FROM TIIE COMMTS'ION

TO TITE ET'ROPEAN PARLIAMINT AIID TEE OOIJNCIL

OnPnlE|!RoD.nt .nddlt.CFp.ndor$dV.rlt6tl0r M..h.nhE

EN EN

In ruly 2012. rhc Connhion rcponcd un R.m0nD\ progress since 2O0r undcr rhcCoopcmr ionandvenf icanonVcchanhmrCvM, . ' lhcEpon loo lcddrhesu\Ernab ' t i ryondiftcveuibility of the refoms pur ih place, As fte rcpoR was issued ar a time whcn imponanrqucsrions werc Eised wirh egdd ro $c rule oa ltrw ond lhe andep€ndfl€e of tnc judici{ry iiRondnia, ir in€ludcd specilic r€comncnd.tions ro Esbc rsper for lh6e tundamcnralprincipl€s. lt ws al$ ddid€d to Epon sjl months lolcr. wnh a fou on rhc Connision,srccomnend:tions in lhis ae.

Ovcr lh. lsi sir mo.ths,lhe silustim in Romsio hs bcfl doninalcd hy rte tun-up ro ficBcnt clstiotu. TIE Commission bclievG tar rhc noninarion ofde nw sovchm .nctthc chtons p'ovrds a fBh otlonunrr ro suE 6pccr for d. rul€ otlaw nd Judrcrlindclcodcne and e6uE sbbiliry, Loyal c@pcErion bcNcen insritutions af,d stabilnv in gc{N6oon ol po$c6 m impotunr loundltion {oncs ro pro\'de rhe nBhr pladom ior motrn!Ftosrcss on the issues ofjldacial rfom and thc ffghr agoinsr comption.

This rcport ta*cs srek ofrhe spscific Econncnd.tioos nsued by ftc Commission on rhcrcsPcct tbr rhc ole of lsw and thc ihdcpcndcncc ofrhcjudiciory. k rko repons on lhc cvMbcnchnlrks on the orher aspccrs of rcf ol rhc judicial systen and the fishr rBdinsl

l. Repecl forrhe ruleollN tnd th.Inddpcndcrce ofth€judt.irry

thc Commission issued ten sp€.ific Ecommc.d.rions ro helD Rsotvc lhe conbovmi6 on lhcrulc ol law md judicial indcpcndcncc. Thc Rotunian sov€mmr @nfimcn b ficConmision fid n Nould imDlcmc lhs momftndlljons.r The Cofthision hos h.m.lo$ly nonnorina pms6s on rhce noin|r. in rhe li8hr ofdc bcnchna*s rr in th. CvM

Thc Nssmed shoss fiar Romania tus implcmcnrcd *!c6t bul nol att of the Comnission srccommcnd.iions aimina at Gtorin8 rulc ol hw and lhc independmce of 6e jldiciary. Whilcthc Co.stitution dd the Conslilutioml Coun\ rolc and dakiors have been resDNrcd.comrnlmcnrs reeardrls rhe indcpcndcn.c of rhc tuilrErt and rceard'ns rhe R\ponf rorn rcSnly rul ings h ave not b4n adcq uarcly implcncnkd. Ar thc same rine. th€ aDDo intmcnt ofancw lcadcNhip for rhe proscurion snd rnc DNA is still ouNludins.

Tht RManiu, Cokstitutb.al or.lar

(hc ofthc prinary conccms.xtBsed by thc Commission in July w6lhe slobiliry of lhc

Tlc olc of tne Constitutional Coun is of panicular inporlance n€rc. The po*e6 of rhcConsritutioml Coun b check thc con{nuionalny oflhe decisions adopcd by rh€ PartioDcf,rhavc cfNtivcly ben Eirorftd by n€ns of rhc Constiturional Coun! judsmcnts, andL,n$gc.cy O.diDnc€ 38 is ihftloE "dc ftcro" inopplicablc.rThe reDEt of Emcracncy

coM(20 |1)410 fiir|. |6 sl,5i5 lDd 'vmddllioni w8.fr}dE.{ ; oc|6ids zdolttl by lhc ccnml

! Inssen.y Odins.c 3 340 t 2 hss ior b..n fDn'lly rcr'drrd ll owcvd. rh

Ordinoncc 4l cnsurcd rcspmt for thc Courlt rulings on the quotun foi a rcfcrcndum. Thc lactthd lhe final Constilulional Coun tuling on the validny ofthe 29.,uly referendun'sasrespected vN ! tey signal thlt Constilulional noms vere no lonse. beins put in queslion.

Another source of concem had been the Ecourse lo em€rsency ordinances, a concem sharcdby the Venice Commhsion ofth€ Council of€uope'Th€ use of this power in €arly Julyplaycd an impona rolc i. thc conccms about by-prssing ConstitDtio.al noms. ThcRomanian govcmncnt commiltcd to usc emergcncy ordinances slriclly lor the siiualions s€tout ih the Cohstitution. and o.ly in cdse or etoersencr. TheE hcs been less concen on rhisissue in dent nonths, and the srart of a new Parliament with a clqr majo.ity should help loconsolidare the ordinsry lesislotive pMedurcs as the right say to lesislate.

The Commission notes thal all acts, includins decisions ofthe Conslitutional Couft, appear lohave been Dublished in a tinelv fashion in lhe Omcial loumal.

Thc Paniam€nl appointcd rbc.cw Ombudsman in lanuary 2013. Thc loct tnat tbc hcwOnbudsm.n Ncilcd thc tuIl suppon of lhc tuling coalition bd nor lh. opposilion will nalcitpanicula.ly imporlant fot him to show in his acrions lhat he can nsc ahovc t rly li.es. TheOnbudsnrnnas rn imponanr role in sateguarding rhechecks andbalanceso|rhesysrem,andi n Fnic ulrr to cont.ol the powels o I the exrcutive ro lesishte throush odi nances.

ln summary, the place ofthe Constilulion and lhe Constitutional Couft has b€en restoEd inline rith the Commission's rcommendations. h is hovcvcr esscntial that thc Prcsident. thenew govemment and parliamcnt cnsurc thc srobiliiy of tnc conniturional ordcr, and allpolilicalpartiessbouldworktorcduccth€polarisolionoflhcpolilicalststcm

in thc run-up to thc clcclions, lhcrc has rho bcen r discussion about possible coNtiturionalchange. wl'at is inponanr n $d the ptucess of constitutional efom progresses in fullEspecr of fundamenral values such as respecl for lhe rule of law and th€ sepaEtion ofpow€s.This includes continued espect for the Constitulional Courl $ lhe guaranlor of lhe supremacyoflheConstitulion, as wellas the indcpendcnce and stabiliry ofjudicial inslitutions i.cludingthe prcsecutio..ltis al$ inporra that lhc d€balc aboul possiblc rcfom allowscnough tincand opcnncss io *curc though lhc appropnab consilurional pioccdurc lhe widcst possiblcconsensus. lt is ako essmtial in this conlerl to reassue iudicial insftutions lhat theiridependence is secured, and to aloid speculation crcatins aclinrale ofinsiability.

I n de p a da n.c of I h e j u.ki u rr

Oie of the nrjor concems over the sunmer was rhe clear evidence of pressur oh judicialinstitutions and lact of rcspct for the independence ofthejudiciary. Thn rcnains a majo!source ofconcem. The Commission Eeivcd nuncrous rcpons ofi.timidation or harassment

D(ror2)026.cafi

ara in i ndn id rahqor l ing inke \ iud ic ia landanr i - \omp ' ron in { i ru ' ronr . t rc lud 'nenercnarhrcd..Edmqjudeturnd rhc r lin li.r. rld m.d'a.rnF'enirmodnt'ns ro h,r6lnent o

Untbtunalely, lhe Commission's reconmend.don has not ben fully inplemenled. Po|nicallynorivatd alb.ks on lhe judiciary hale not e.ded. A clnical point is the acc€ptance ofjudiciald{nions: thn tqunes rhe whole of the political class lo fom a consensus !o !€fmin tomdiscreditinsjudicial dechions. und€mi.ins the credibiliry of naSistrarcs or puliine prcssurc

Th€ Connission would aho likc lo dnw attcntion to thc mlcoflhe nedia. There have beennumcrous cxamplcs of thc mcdia cxcrcising ptcssure o.lhejudiciary. as well a pllliculardoubk whclhcr lh. Nalional Audiovnul Council n poling an eff*tive watchdos. Thesnoadon slggesrs the need roi d rview of existins rules, to ensuE that heedom of the pr€ss hacconpanied by ! prcper prot€clion of institutions and of individuals fundomcntal riehls aswell $ to povide for cfectivc Edess

A sp€cific hsuc was lhat thc Commission was conccmcd lhat prclions Iudici.l decisionscould be overturned rhroueh pardons in rhc prnicnlar ctcumsta.ccs ol an interin presidenctlost summcr. Tnc ihrcrim Prcsidcntnspcctcd rhis momnendalion in uil.

A final asp.cr oljudicial independence is lhe connirndt ofrhe erecurive and leeislaruE rolhe quality ofdppoinrodrs to tey posh in judicial institutions. The Comnission considenthal the track tcord of Ronania aslinsl high-l€vel comption has been one of thc imponantadvances unde! lhe CVM. An etleclive and inDonial Droscution must b€ maintaincd uhdcrtutureleadeship. Th€Conmission thercforc considcB tnat it is cssc.tial lo pnl in phc€ a ncwleadeship in thc pros€cution and thc Nationrl Ahti-comprion Dirccronrc (DNA) which candcnonstralc thc ihdcpmdmce, intgrily and polesionalism ieeded to €njoy the confidenceol theplblic and continue rc deliver efT*tile Fsuhs.

The Epon highlishted in lhiscontext the nomination ofa nry Cen€ral Prosaulor and Cbicflrcsecutor oflhe DNA, in tems both ofan open and ranspaent proc€ss and of choosingcandidales with expertise. inlesrity. and a tmck rcord ofanti-comption action. Thc proccssBas initiolly rushcd ond did nol inspirc lhc conlidcncc of lnc maghlracy. The Minhler ofJusticc then €xlcnded deadlinesand made a n!frber ofDrocedural inprovefrents,' but only !limited Dnse o I candidales applied. The two candidrtes who emersed fion the prccess failedlo secu€ positive opinions fion the Supenor Council of Masistracr (SCM), and lh€y eeeeventually rejecled by the President. The Conmission considcn lhat a sulfrcicnt nunbcr ofhish quality candidates in an open and tnnsparent proc€ss and. as far as possiblc with supportfon lhe SCM arc cs*nlial clcmcnts to $curc a lcadc^hi. ablc lo commrnd nublic

rc dd ii'imiddioi of juds.s or'he cbonloi& Pnft Mininsvicror

m']fts[Fiuconoi|ot

Thosc in posnions of poser ntr$ dcmonstdt high sranddnls olinrcgrily. ln addition, whoejudicial authonies find that this is nol the c6e, failure to respond tojudicial decisions alsoimplies! lack ofrespect forlheruleofhw.In ns luly .eport, lhe Commission ws concemedthat both the govemment and the Parliamcntdid not tully resp€cl tbis principle.

ln Nolcnbcr, N.rional lntgnty Aecncy (ANl) rcponJ aeainst ninhlcB and scnioi otlcialsdid ..t lerd t(J then esigndtions.' Thc ne* golchfrcnt Eirerated iN goal of racklingcomprion, but amonssl the new Ministers are three under cnminal investisalion lo.comprion. ln its .luly recommendltions, lhe Commission set out its expectation thal Minislenset an exanple in Esp(t of integily issues: the sam€ should bc cxpccled in respecr ofcomption charg€s. lt is esscnlial lor lhc credibility ofa Bovcmmcnt lhat ftosc in cho8c ofninistcrial funclio.s cnjoy thc conlidonce oflhe public. aor examtle by steppine down whcnrhere is an intesiry repon,ion ANI lgainst them. Constirurionll requnements, includingsuspension ftom Minisknal ofiice on indichent,will need to b€ applied in tull.

sinilarly. lhc credibilny oflhe Padianenr w.trld benent fton clead noceduics concemingthe hlndling ofcases where Menbe6 ofParlianent face rulinss on integ.ity issues or fdcecomption allesations. The pEsunplion should be that,wnhin the eslabl ished Constitulionalrulcs, thc prosccution canconducr ns work i. dc samc way os faccd by orhcr citizcns. Clariiyand automaticity arc thc bcst says to ofsct pmvious conccms that rhcrc hrs bccd a dcercc ofsnbjcctility in parliamcnlary pr@ccdines in this rrea

Thc Paniamcnr adopt€d in Ja.uary 2013 amcndmcnc to thc statutc of thc Mcnbcrs ofPaniancnt, changine lhc proccdurc lbr liftine imnunnics in fic crscs oflhc sarch. arcst ordctcntion of Fniafrenbrians and the prosecution of fomer Ministe6. Funhe! sq)s aEfoFseen, includinga Codeofconduct. These willneedto include a deadline for each slase ofthe prccedure, and thot wheF the Parlianenl rctuses to lin thc inmunig, il prcvides a fulljustiicalion.lt h al$ inponanl toclarirythal ANI remains the solc authoity tasked wilh thevcrification of potcntial inconpatibilitics of cldcd and appointcd omcials.

ln tems of Parliamcntl appMch, rhc broadcr challcngc nadc tojudicial dsisions in onecsc ws a major cohccm: thc SCM had to appcal to lhc consitulional conrl lo cnsurc lhatIn. Prl dm. r cr'lcc' \cly innl. r.lrod a H'gh Coua tultrr n r.n'l trqan.c r l", topcdrhar the new procedres will trevem a rnetnion ofsuch probrens

cqD{i,u'io @drjd hlrv{o 'rrcju

*nd&(De.isidi drlnecoilirdidialcdunndeT2of 2r Nolcnbd20r2).

Ihe Connnsion selconres the posnive st€ps taken since July. bur co.sides lhat muchrcnains to bc doncrotully n.pbmcnt its rccommcndations. Thc c.rry inro tunction ofa ncwEovcmmcnl and a ncw Parliam€nl oilcu an cxccUcnl opportunity lo coh$lidatc thcsc stcpsand addn$ lhc slill outsta.dinA poi.ls. Thc prihciplcs undcnying rhc connissiontrecomnendalions o! forecting the iule oflaw and torecting rhe abihy olrhejudicidry toreach decisions without intqference will Enain central to the Connission's approach in the

Il will bc imponanl to continuc to Espccr thc rcspo.sibililics and dccisio.s of lhcconstnurional coun, and cnsurc tull complirncc wnh alt consriturional rcquirenenrs roensuid lhe nlmalisr llncrnJhing.f R.ndnidn denoc.rcy dnd reduce its Dolansation. lt willllso be inporhnt lo ensure thdr $e process ofco.stnutional .efom fully Especrs rhe rule oflaw. the sepaEtion of powers and judicial indepcndence and stability, whilc beins based onthc widesl possibl€ conscnsus

Thc ncw eovcmmcnl has alrcody sienallcd its commnncnt to thc indcpcndcncc of lncjudiciary and thc supicmacy ol iul. of law in the lnstitutionrl Collaboraiion Agieemenrbctveen $c Prsidenr dnd the Pnnc Minisrer. Thn should now be followed up in panicular

lntoduce a clerr fmncwork o! iequimena lo eliain from discedning judicialdeoisnJns lnd undemihing or putring pftssue on nagistrares, and eNure eftectiveenforcemenr of rhese requnements. The Supeior Council of Masistncy should beinvited lo sive an opinion on the rclelant pro!isionsr

Rclicw cxistine sbndards lo safcguard 5 frcc and plumlk ncdia whilc cnsnrihBc ltici vc ndrcss aga inst violat ion o f indi! iduh fundrmcntal rights and .gainsr u.ducpicssun or inlimidation from thc mcdir agains thc judicirry and anti{orupri.ninsritutions. The Nationdl AldnJvisual Council should be assured of its efectveindependence. and play fully irs rule by establishing and enforcinsaCode ofConduct

Ensrr lhal thc ncw lcadcNhip in thc pioscculion and thc DNA .ic choscn frcm asuflicienr rangeoahigh qurlily candidales rlteranopcn andtmnsnrrenl piocess, meetthc crnfia sct oul i. lhc lnstnuional coll.bonlion Agiccmcnt, i. paniculartofessionrl expenise. inregrity and a rac* record of ami co@prion acrion. Apositive opinion frcn lhe Superior Council ofMasistFcy will be an imponant step insccurine pnblic confi dcncci

Thc .cw ombudsna. will nccd to show u.co.tcslcd aulhority, inlcerny. andindependen.€. as well rs r non-prnien apprcachi

Take rhe necessary steps lo flsuE thar MinisreN subjd ro in$enty tulings stepdown. Ensure swift applicction of the Consriturional rules on suspension ofMinistels

Panianmt should build on tnc ncw tulcs to adopt clcar, and objecrivc prccedures rosuspcnd parlirncntarims subjccl to ncgalivc inrc8rity rulin8s or comptiohconlictions;and to fix swin deadlines for nrocessing iequesrs lion the pmsecurion rolift innuniry ofparliamensnans. Fulljusrificarion should be given ifPanianentdoesnot lct nomal law enforccmcnt takc itscousc.

!. Rcform of thc judi(i!l rlrlcm. inlcBritr. Uehl lBain!t corruption

This section rcviews posrcss asainst the baclsround ofthe benchmarts ser oul in the coo$lation and lcrification mecha.hm and Drevious Conmission rccommendalions. Theseenain valid and wiu bc asscsscd i.lhc ncxt rcporl

Rahm ol the ixtitiat v-aen

The lisr ftcofrhendation in rhe Jlly ielod on rcrom ofrhe jMicial sys.n relakd ro rheifrplenentldon ofall four legal codes''. The tlanning for lh€ inplenmtation olthis key.efom Emains uncerrain. The entry into foEe of the Code ofciril P(redure is srill plannedfo. February 2013. Th€ entry into force of the Cnminal Code and the Code of CrininalProccdurc is lcntati!€ly schcduled forrcbruary 201,1. Mor€ clarity is ne.ded on how to aloidrhcsc dales slipping nill tunh$.

Since lhe lasi eDofr rhe Minisrry of Justice hds set out a nnlriannlal {rat€E/ ibr theinplenenuion ofihe Codes, includins resou.ces aspets. Assessing possible lnnacrs onlyalicr the adoption of tbe Cod6 by the Pa ianent creates exia uncenrinty. and a tullasscsrne.r ofthc impacl on huma. rcsources aspets h only foreseen for2014. ' This processwill bc conplicatcd ifthc rcxr ol thc Codcs k frcqucnrly rcopcncd: rhc ovcnll objccrivc ofensunng thd justice crn be pnsued rnd rerlised morc cfecrivcly.nd quickly should nor bc' . r . "u 'c . rh j )e in l -c f le e ru , i .n u f . \ i , len .e n .nun on . o f ln r o r c r . !

The ssond Reconnendation rclsted to rhe oveall workload pr$ues on rhe Ronunianjudicial syslcm, a.d thc necd to rcslructure lhe couft system and pro*cution ofnces,rcbala.cing srfIandworlload. ThcBovcmmcnt is ccklin8 smc of thc pafticularcauscsofa

aid b,cdc, nvA sNl drc rymkrdd on 'hcjudici!ry

Thc last mommmdarion rlared ro lhe ciearion or an ovedEhine nonnonng soup forjudicial refom. This Eflecled the need to cEate a consensus for r€fomins the judicialsystem. Since the July rcporl. thcrc has becn no prcBrcss i. brinSing toeclhcr $c kcy playcts

,,t L co u ntdb i Lrv ol lhe J kl it i al Sy:tetn

The new legalfraheuorl for the Judicial lnspection adopledin 201I hasallowed the.ludiciallnspeclion lodeliv{noE etrectivcly, rcsultine i.2l nw dhciplinary actions rakcn in ns fisrfcw months. 'Thc Ministry oflusticc has supponcd $c ncw lnspccroi.t wnh a numbcr ofpractical n€asurcs, i.cludine aranAing loi r ncw hcadquarlcB building. More general lessonslcamcd fmm individurl casB corld f.cd inlo ftc joinr policy ftc.nnended by theComnission ibr the Supenor Council of Masistncy (SCM) and solemnent ro promot€accounrabihy and intesnty.

Another essential elemcnr of thc rcpuration and thc accountability olthcjudicial sysrcm is thcpmccdurc for tbc appoinhcnl of magistratcs. The ncw aftangenenls for promotion to lheHign Counofcassolioh and Jusicc scen to have intoduced anew rigour into the syslem: nseems morc intonant lo mainlain the quality ofconpetition 6ther than to redress perceivedshonages which may prove short tem.

cL n s jlt! nt! o.l ellLdi k ne!: o l.itlil i a I ac1 io n

Thc co.sistcncy and tnnsparc.cy ol$e judicirl pbcess is a key elenenr in ns cedibilny andns clftclivcncss. Sincc rhe Julyrnod, the High CounofCdsltion and Justice has coninuedto tate conclete steps to unit jurisprudence and impove ils quality, ensun.s $etransmhsion of decisions to low€r courts ond impoving onlinc acccss. Gmduallytmnsfoming lhe High Coun olcassation and lusticc ih a lully-ncdgcd coun of cassolion.wilh fcwcr rcspon sibi li t i6 ior .ppcal. *ould also assist lhe conc€nlration on lhc un i ficrlion o Ijurkprudcncc on poin6 of l.w. Thc pmcedurc olapperl in the inlc€n ol rhe law is alreadyhclping ro progress in rhisdneclion llwill be imponlnt ro ensule rhat these ste$ foNad enor jeopardised by exra wo load via the new prcceduE on prelininary rulings, whilst thecxistins number ofjud8es o. panels al thc flccl sccms to offcr rhc ri8ht balancc.

wavc of ncw crs.s .l $urce, through l€gislaive change.'' Such effoils to Educe lheworllold on points of pressule in the system nay be noE €il(tive than tryins lo solve lheproblen by incremins lhe number of judses ond poseulon which could also rhkjcopardisins recent nnpovcncnts in thc qu.lily and lraining ol ncw cntrants inlo lhc

' Fo, c*anpr., Enhcing !judiciar prced

c sumnq mulrcd in rhc $sposion |'c

An inponrnt issue for the unification oijlisprudcncc is rhe lpdatins of rnc ourdllcd lTsy$tcn. This linits judses' *nowlede€ of $.ulhl jldsemei|s. Two poj*rs m nndeN{y.Thc Ministry ofruslice inrcnds to inplemenr ! stde$/ ro have a sinple trd qlick .c*ss toECRIS (rhc min judicial datab6e) and rhc SCM aho lries ro improve i. paollelrhe exiling"Junndcx" syscm (a. ahmative sy cn). lt would be usctul to prog€ss ihese iniriarilcs in

ElId t i,M s of j udicia I d r ion

Thc HiBh Coun's rppMch lowa'ds hish-lcvcl conptim cas hd @nrinued b bcchaEdcnsed by r welcone desE of poetivc cse ma.agmmt. The HCCJ Eporlcdsienifionl pogrcs in the hddlins ofhisn kvcl compiio. ces yirh a dkrw noh 28 tol0 opcn c66, s well a a risc in 6c numb$ of c!*s elved in fi6t insrana. Whcrcdefcndanb havc b€en convicrcd, rheE hos also conlinucd to b€ s morc @ronionrle sndconsislsnt approacn lo p€.alti€s, The rcslk is $at juslice h *cn to b€ pcrfoming irsdissursivo role morc cf€clively.

l,Icclivcn6s also .eq!i$ law enforc€ncnr to bc wo inS cfecrvely and fairly throushoutthc sysrcm, The HCCJ h6 conlinucd ro mokc pbgrcss witi setinc sbndards ond suidclincs

Thc pasr fw mo.ihs have *d th€ Public Minislry, rhs DiEdohre Cdfrl for Ani-Comprion and dc Hieh Coun .ll continuing to work pmfsionally and ihDonillly,emiimcs undr qtlft D6sue. Thc rcsilicncc ol lnc$ insrirlriotu e far EinfoEcs lhcconclusio, that deir t-ack Imrd o. hiShlcvcl c@prion is one of dE m6t signifis.t signsof nosrcs achiw€d by Rommia undc. thc CvM. lt is *ntial th this .dvece ismainlaincd under ncw ladmhip. lt dut llso not bs -undemined by olher chicrions on rhcobility ofhw cnfonme.i agencies lo pu6ucjuticc."

Sincq rhc lst rcpori, $e National lntcgrity ABcncy (ANl) has continled to develop ils ttuckrccord ond ro develop its opemlional c0icicncyrr, ANI hs stlrled an anbitious tT pojccruiniins ut collectins.Lt oh clccred lnd sptointcd omcirls, allowins for a cross-checl wirhothcr stltc dorsboses, such a the cshrry ofconm.rceorrhe t x ome. to deter conflicr\ ofintcrcst. Thiswiu howcvd need additional eFurccs !o work in tuU.It rcmins a mjor concem that ANI! dccisions aE undd ftequ.nt qu6tiod. Tlis is dcspitcthc fid thd wncn chrlldged, it h6 o stmnS rsord of wiming appeals agaifut ns rulings in

-'rnc Minsrry oflcric r,a d5o ruch.d I m.nmr. pmjsr b hlh..diry r.eisri'j( $6 F,ibrcLhu36blE{4lngpnIsorup&'in8

- lr ir !ls I'cllful rlut an rypel tum ANI b r d..isidi by d wqlrl' hv6riF

couft. Both the Agency,lhe Nation.l lnr8rity Council (NlC) and then peNonnel have beensubjcd to frcqucnt poliicrl and nedia altacrs. Parlianent &iled to enforce !n ANI repons,even vhen backed ul' by finll coun decisions Gee abov4. In November 2012 ANI issucdlbur inconprtibility Epons lgrinst MinisleN and se.ior oticiah. AU four h.!e bNnchallenged in court and none slepped down from offcc on rhcsc stounds.

'To8c$crwith thcfrequent susgestions to anend ANfs l€8al fr.mework, tnis crcatcs an unccdainry whichhindcB Roma.ia's ability to show lhat a robust inlcerny ftamework is in place

DNA has conlinucd lo invcstigare and bnns fotuard conDtion cases successfully. Thenumbci of linrl convicrions isiued blsed on the prcseculions launched by DNA hs doubledin 2012 in cohparison wirh the previous year. These havc concemcd politicians ofall nainpanies. TheE has llso been a constanl incrcosc in indictmcnl ond conviclion in EU fnudcascs led by DNA. This can scryc as an inpotunl cxanplc for the tosecudon 6 a *hole,whcrc thcrc arc siens oawidc disficpdncics in rhc rsul(j achieled by dif'eEnr prosecution

Trc cvM also nquncs slrong cuods to bckle codption atall levels ofRonanicn society-sudeys consisrdtlt show high levels ofpublic concem about the prelal€nce ofcomption.'"ln this context, rhe July Epon welcomed lhe National Anri-Comprion Sratcsy. Thcrc havcbcen sorne imDotunr icp. il,cn b\ $rc dcFm.nF rnd +e nJn'.rnar'on oi l.cJldu .hor i r i c ' sNrs ro p rogrcs , ihcMin i r ryo l ld ihe tu .n r r n tJ re { ru t ru 'e } ' J l - ( l !makc this work, which sccn to bc takcn the trcccss rotu,rd in spnc ofthen snall nunbers.r_icld missions and a scarch for bcst nmdlce uft showins a welcone desree ofploactirity. Itis inponant lo ensur thar adequate resources ac beins scurcd for the snoothinplemenlarion of the St6tegy. ln addilion lo lhis. EU tunds arc inancing a.umbcr of.nti-complion pmjccrs, i.cl ing in rhc Ministiics of Education, Hcrlth and RegionalDclclopmcnt and Public Adninistmrion. lmplemcmdion is ptugftssing and resulL\ lre now

Anolhdr imporunr elenenr is rhe prosecution ofmoney launde.ins and confiscation. The newIegal liamewo on extend€d confiscation was put ir plocc in 2012. bul it is loo carly to yctasscss its crTcctilc.c$. As rcgards moncy laundcnne as a stand alone oftcnce. an imporlanrcasc k now bclotc thc HCCJ. Thc Asct RNolcry Otlice hrs seen !n inciease in the requesbil is handli.g and notably on requcns issued by Rohanian duthonies TheE are curently nocomprchcnsilcstatisricswilhcracranou.rsofconllscdkdassets,buitheesrimatestendtobelow There aie also n. coq'.ehensile statistics lvailable on the amounts thot wcrc actuallyrecoveEd followins the contsc ion odcs.

rd.J do$r tor orli$ u\dns (!nd

hllPr $v! h{$mcnry qrcoiro rzrc{rs

l i na l ly, prosEss seems very li miled i n lhc prcvcntion and smclioh ihg ol comption rclalci lopublic procnrcmcnr. Tnc advrnccs made ag.insr high level conption have nor ben mlrhedin public procnene.l. Cases sen lo tale a lons tine, ponly due the need for spcificiinancial expedise, leading to rhe particulsr problem of contrets concluded befoE courtjudseoent on the ofTmce. The pqalties for officials involved in fFudule.t publicprocurenent cases continue to be v€ly los a.d the law dcs not foEsce a posibiliry ofacancellation on the srounds of conllict of int€r$r of prcjccrs thar havc aludy becn €xecnted.Thcrc arc al$ major donbh on lhc cafcctive.cs of proseulion hddling of rhese cases. rr

Recenl pmposh seen io call into question the shble indepddent institutionalbasis esentialror Eal posress. A mo.e sysFdatic ?pprosch to ex anle chects. most losically a role for ANI{with n* Esourcs) thal vould aho ensuE a unifom and systenic implcme.talion, wouldofier a usetul rav foNard.

l .

This assessne.r shows thal Rofrania has inplenenrd several, bul not all, of th€Connission's rconnddations aining ar $tonns rule of law and the independence of th€judiciary. mile the Constitution and the Conslitulional Couds ole and decisions hav€ beenEspecled. conmitnents rcsardin8 lhe prclection oflhc jndiciary aSain anacls, tnc sleppingdown of Minisleu wiln inteeriiy rulings again{ then and lhe resignation of Memb4 ofPrliamenl wnh f,nal decisions on inconpatibility and cohticr of intercst, or with finalconviclions for high level co@nlion have noi been tully idplenented. At the sne time,lheappoinhent of a new leadeBhip fo. rhe proseculion and lhe DNA Enains ro be done.

The Connission believ€s tbal the eleclion of a new Parliame.l a.d thc aDboinhcnt ol r hcwgovcmnc.t povidc lhc opportunity lo dcliver tully and rapidly on these reconnendations. ltuigcs rhc ncw govmmc.r to bke the necesery stets.

The Conmn$on also notes the nedi rc dccelerate prosress on its rconmendations oflh€.efod of lhe judicialy, integity and the fighl asrinst comption. h will mo.itor posr€ssclosely, in a conslant dialosu€ with th€ Romania. autholilies, and will rcport ol lhc cnd of2013 on tnc Efom Fmccss.