The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Gabriela Knaul, called upon the Government of Romania to consider postponing at least for a year the enactment of the four new codes expected one for October 2011 and the remaining for January 2012.
“During my visit to Romania, a great majority of stakeholders expressed serious concerns about moving the reform forward too quickly in detriment of the rule of law,” Ms. Knaul noted referring to a major judicial reform due in 2011, after the so-called ‘small reform’ adopted last year.
“The reform of the judiciary has been a process of change that has accompanied Romanian efforts to flourish as a democracy,” she said. “As it now stands, its major goal should be to guarantee a system of administration of justice that ensures independence, impartiality, integrity, equality and transparency, all prerequisites for the enjoyment of human rights by all in Romania.
Ms. Knaul also encouraged the media “to help to bridge understanding of the judicial reform and its expected impact on the ground”, and the general public “to get involved on the judicial reform and help in the construction of a transparent, fair, accessible, solid and independent system of administration of justice that will redound in benefits for the Romanian future generations.”
The Special Rapporteur’s mission took her to Bucharest, Iasi, Cluj Napoca and Pitesti. She hold discussions with representatives of the Government, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, academia, judges, lawyers, bailiffs and others involved in issues related to her mandate and will present her findings to the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2012.
The UN expert’s mission to Romania was preceded by a visit to Bulgaria, from 9 to 16 May 2011.
For the full statement, please click on https://www.facebook.com/notes/centru-informare-onu/preliminary-conclusions-and-observations-visit-to-romania-of-un-special-rapporte/1569891026243