Civil society organisations request President Iohannis consultations on the CCR decision

0

Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.

37 civil society organisations request President Klaus Iohannis, in an open letter, to organise political consultations on the Constitutional Court (CCR) decision, with such organisations as well as with political parties and the professional organisations with the judiciary.

“Following the CCR decision on file no.489E/2018, by which six CCR judges have granted discretionary prerogatives to the Justice Minister in terms of revocation of the leading magistrates and deciding that the President of Romania should dismiss from office the DNA chief prosecutor, the signatory organisations request you to organise public consultations with the civil society organisations, with political parties and professional organisations with the judiciary, which should precede and help in making decisions and actions after the CCR ruling.

They should not play down the dispute on the revocation request of the DNA chief prosecutor, but to envisage the future of the anti-corruption fight, judiciary independence, the rule of law and the CCR role,” the letter sent by ‘Initiativa Romania’ to ziare.com reads.

The signatories believe the consultations are necessary because “Romania has reached a critical moment of history, when our place within the European Union, democracy and rule of law are intentionally put at risk by those elected by the people to defend them.”

They also say that the CCR decision is contrary to the law, to the constitutional provisions and to the obligations assumed by the EU Accession Treaty and undermine the attributions of other state powers.

“The decision is returning us in ill-faith to the moments before accession, when the judiciary was completely serving the political power, the files were opened or closed during party sittings, upon political demand, whereas the prosecutors were investigated and dismissed from magistracy if investigating political corruption,” signatories say.

The civil organisations underline that they believe CCR is and should remain a fundamental institution within the Romanian state’s constitutional architecture, which should receive respect “even if the actions of some CCR members, who used the institution for political interests or personal shuffle, have momentarily diminished the Court’s prestige and professionalism.”

The signatories are: #ActivAG Pitesti, Actiunea Civica Galati, Asociatia Aradul Civic, Asociatia Romania Vie, Coruptia Ucide, Diaspora Franta solidara cu Romania, Evident Deva, Geeks for Democracy, Grupul civic #insist, Grupul pentru Dialog Social, #Iasulnutace, Initiativa Craiova, Initiativa Timisoara, Initiativa Romania, Muresul Civic, Noul Orizont Valencia, Oradea Civica, Organizatia Eu Ro Aleg 2.0, Procivic Baia Mare, #Reset, #Rezist Birmingham WMW, #Rezist Constanta, #Rezist Dublin, #Rezist Liguria, #Rezist Lyon, #Rezist Milano, #Rezist Munich, #Rezist Ramnicu Valcea, #Rezist Toronto, #Rezist Brussels, #REZISTENTA, Stafeta Steagului Uniunii Europene, Timisoara Civica, Umbrela Anticoruptie Cluj, #Vavedem din Bucuresti, Va Vedem din Sibiu, VeDem Just – Voci pentru Democratie si Justitie.

The CCR ruled last Wednesday that there is an institutional conflict between the Government and the Presidency, after the Executive had notified the court over a disagreement prompted by the fact that president Klaus Iohannis had denied to dismiss the chief prosecutor of the National Anti-corruption Directorate, Laura Codruta Kovesi, as the Justice Minister had requested.

CCR had ruled by a majority of votes that there is a conflict on this issue, thus favouring the Government.

“Laura Codruta Kovesi should have been revoked by the President,” CCR head Valer Dorneanu said.

In the official press release, CCR argues that the head of state is to issue the decree to recall DNA chief prosecutor from office.

- Advertisement -

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More