Romania risks breaking their image even harder

Romania risks ruining its image even more externally after the annulment of the elections in Romania has sparked controversy, said the interim president at the balance of the High Court of Cassation and Justice held at the National Bank.

In his speech, Ilie Bolojan said that his presence at the event is « a sign of respect for you, for those who operate at the High Court and for all those who work in the Romanian judicial system, a system that is a basic pillar of our country.

It is an opportunity to reflect, with honesty and lucidity, at the state of justice in Romania, because, without a functional, independent and efficient judicial system, our democracy could become even more fragile.

In recent years, the Romanian justice has worked in a complex context. The large volume of activity of the courts, the complexity of the files, the legislative instability and the lack of clarity of some laws are just a few of the constant challenges you have faced and you have faced.

The efforts already undertaken by the High Court of Cassation and Justice to make their own jurisprudence more accessible through a digital library and the assurances of assurance of a unitary practice are certainly concrete steps to strengthen the confidence in justice.

An effective justice does not only involve functional institutions, laws or clear procedures. The great public systems are made up of people in the service of our country. Romania has many professional magistrates, with integrity. Because their mission has to establish the judicial truth, the society is waiting for the magistrates to be moral and professional benchmarks.

I am grateful to all the magistrates who, by what they do, are a landmark for the other public systems, but especially for the citizens, guiding them that their rights and freedoms are protected.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Through each act of justice, by its quality, by the speed of its administration, by each interaction with the justice, the confidence in the judicial system and the public perception regarding justice are formed. Without confidence in a basic system of a democracy, meant to limit the power by law or to sanction the violation of the rules, our country is more vulnerable.

A modern, effective justice that respects the law and citizens and guarantees the protection of fundamental rights is not a desire to assume only the judicial system or only part of the political class.

It is a common objective, which requires political will, professionalism and, above all, a correct report to the public interest, an effort to bring the justice system closer to the citizens, in their service.

However, there is also systemic problems that cannot be ignored: the excessive duration of the procedures, with the risk of the intervention of the prescription, the lack of unitary practices in identical species, the infrastructure that leaves to be desired in some courts, the deficit of staff, the lack of clear performance indicators, which leads to inefficiency, as well as to an access to justice.

This year ends the period of application of the Development Strategy of the judicial system 2022-2025 and of the action plan, being a good opportunity to evaluate the progress and to establish some ambitious and realistic targets.

The Romanian state has the duty to ensure the optimal conditions for the magistrates to exercise their profession at the highest standard. A modern, adequate infrastructure also means greater respect for citizens. This must be doubled by sufficient, qualified human resources, good management and fully functional institutions. Also, faster judicial procedures are needed, without affecting the quality of the act of justice.

In the times we live, digitalization must simplify the access of the citizen to justice and reduce the bureaucracy that burdens the courts.

The changes made by the use of new technologies require the acquisition of new digital skills for the personnel involved. The state and the great public systems have the obligation to keep up with these changes, and the technology must become an ally, from tools that simplify and ease the work to the communication of documents in electronic format, easy access to the electronic file or even the efficiency of some administrative activities.

Ladies and gentlemen,

A modern, functional and efficient justice is one in which integrity, meritocracy and professionalism are basic values. That is why the selection, promotion and evaluation of magistrates must be a demanding and impartial process, which can provide equal opportunities to those who want to advance in the judicial system. The guarantee of professionalism is also given by the impartial functioning of the Judicial Inspection, which has the role of sanctioning the disciplinary deviations when appropriate, in accordance with the law and with the Constitution of the country. I also believe that magistrates should be able to speak openly about what needs to be improved in the judicial system, without fear of consequences.

Raising the mechanism of cooperation and verification or the existence of new laws of justice does not mean that efforts for a modern judicial system are sufficient. A state is consolidated daily, and justice is its foundation. No reform will be effective if it is only regarded as a legislative effort. Each judge or prosecutor, each lawyer, each clerk, participant in the act of justice or official in the judicial system has a role in ensuring an act of justice that is not only correct, but also perceived as such by society.

Independence, efficiency and integrity of justice are the pillars of a solid democracy. Their strengthening is not only a constitutional obligation, but also a moral debt to every citizen who puts his confidence in the Romanian state.

Finally, I would like to congratulate you on the effort sustained from the last year in the realization of the noble mission that the Constitution entrusted you, whose testimony is the activity report presented today.

I assure you of my entire support in strengthening the justice system. Much success in your activity!

Thank you!