European Parliament passes resolution on rule of law in Romania, says deeply concerned

The non-legislative resolution on the rule of law in Romania was passed on Tuesday by the European Parliament 473 -to- 151 votes and 40 abstentions, a text that affirms the MEPs’ “deep concern” towards the judicial and criminal legislation’s reform in Romania and “condemns the violent and disproportionate intervention of the police forces during the Bucharest protests” in August. The EP declares itself “deeply concerned with the revision of the judicial and criminal legislation in Romania, especially because of the possibility that it could lead to the structural undermining of the independence of the judicial system and the latter’s capacity to efficiently fight corruption in Romania, as well as to the weakening of the rule of law,” the resolution reads, as drafted by the representatives of the community legislative’s political groups. Moreover, the document “condemns the violent and disproportionate intervention of the police during the August 2018 protests in Bucharest.” In addition, the resolution “invites the Romanian authorities to establish safeguards so as to ensure a transparent, legal basis for any kind of institutional cooperation and avoid any interference that is disturbing the balancing and verification mechanisms” and “calls on the strengthening of the parliamentary control over the intelligence services.” The Eurodeputies “urge the Romanian authorities to counteract any measures that would decriminalise corruption” and “enforce the national anti-corruption strategy”and “strongly recommend the reconsideration of the legislation regarding the financing, organisation and functioning of the NGOs as regards its potential to have an intimidation effect upon the civil society, as well as in contradiction with the principle of the freedom of association and the right to private life and to fully align it” to the EU framework. Not in the least, the Eurodeputies “urge Parliament and the Government of Romania to fully enforce all the recommendations of the European Commission, the GRECO and of the Venice Commission, and abstain from any reform that would endanger the observance of the rule of law, the judicial system’s independence, included.” Likewise, the Community legislative “advocates a constant dialogue with the civil society and emphasises that the above-mentioned matters must be approached based on a transparent, inclusive process” and “encourages the request on own accord of the opinions of the Venice Commission regarding the legislative measures in question ahead of their final approval.” The debate preliminary to the resolution took place on 3 October, in the plenary sitting of the European Parliament, the talks being attended by Prime minister Viorica Dancila and the European Commission’s First Vice President Frans Timmermans.   Reactions after EP Resolution on rule of law   Dragnea: Others are the big topics for Romania   PSD President Liviu Dragnea stated on Tuesday, at the Palace of Parliament, before the CVM report was published and the EP resolution on rule of law in Romania was adopted, that others are “the big topics” for Romania. “I, as a regular but not humble Romanian, I believe that others are the big topics for Romania. The big topics of these country are, were and will remain aside from any reports and CVMs. We’re talking about healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, economic development, higher incomes for Romanians, the reform of the great systems, these are the topics we’ve handled and I’ve permanently called on the President, both personally and institutionally, for us to work together, but it was for naught,” PSD leader Liviu Dragnea stated on Tuesday when asked about Romania’s relationship with the EU after the CVM report and the European Parliament resolution.   Toader: I’ll express a point of view after I read the resolution. The minister speaks in the know   Tudorel Toader stated on Tuesday that he cannot express a point of view on the resolution – critical of Romania – that the European Parliament adopted, because he has not read it and wants to speak “in the know,” unlike some public persons. “After I read the resolution, I’ll express a point of view. Don’t ask me to comment without reading, because in Romania there are very many who believe they know everything. I won’t comment without reading it. The Justice Minister speaks in the know, unlike others who opine and state they will read afterward,” the Justice Minister stated at the Superior Council of the Magistracy (CSM).     Romanian MEPs react to adoption of rule of law resolution   Romanian MEPs have had some of the most diverse reactions after the European Parliament adopted its resolution on the rule of law.   Siegfried Muresan (PNL): I have voted in the European Parliament for a resolution that defends Romania and Romanians from the attacks of the PSD-ALDE Government   “For two years, Romanians have taken to the streets with the European Union flag behind them, asking for the EU’s support in the defence of Romanian democracy and rule of law. For two years, the PSD-ALDE Government has been deaf to what the protesters and the European partners have been saying about the judicial laws. For two years, the ruling coalition’s objective has been but one: weakening the act of justice in order to save PSD’s felon president Liviu Dragnea. On August 10, Romanians took to the streets once again to defend the rule of law. The members of Government reacted via the institutions of force, attacking with gas and batons the peaceful protesters and the journalists who were doing their job. The members of Government subsequently continued the offensive by promoting laws that limit the activity of civil society and muzzle the protesters. We, in the European Parliament, cannot overlook these things. We must issue a clear message of support for the hundreds of thousands of people who take to the street and protest for the rule of law and for European values. We must issue a clear message of support for the dozens of Romanians who were mercilessly hit by the authorities. “The resolution does not ask for any sanction on Romania, the resolution defends Romania and Romanians from the politicians who want to control the judiciary. We, the PNL, have...

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