The authorities followed the recommendations of the Venice Commission, the GRECO and the European

Commission to dismantle the controversial section for the investigation of criminal offences in the

judiciary.

On 11 March 2022, the law dismantling the section was adopted. The competence to investigate criminal

offences committed by magistrates has been transferred to designated prosecutors within the prosecutor's

offices attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice and the Courts of Appeal. However, there are

some issues which should be followed.

The ongoing reform foresees the adoption of three justice laws which define the judicial system in

Romania. They include the Law on the Status of Magistrates, the Law on the Organisation of the Judiciary

and the Law on the Superior Council of Magistracy. They have already been submitted by the Government

to the Parliament, and they are undergoing the legislative procedure.

The Monitoring Committee has requested the Venice Commission's opinion on the drafts. It should be

adopted in December 2022. We hope that the authorities will take into account the Venice Commission's

recommendations.

Regarding the fight against corruption, it should be noted that the Government is implementing the Anti-

Corruption Strategy for 2021 to 2025, which has already given encouraging results in terms of increased

effectiveness of the investigation and sanctioning of medium and high level corruption.

We have also been informed that amendments to the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code

relating, inter alia, to corruption crimes and abuse of office are under preparation.

Among the outstanding concerns, the question of implementation of European Court's judgements

remains one of the most worrying. The situation of media raises another concern.

Concerning human rights, we are much more positive in our assessment. Romania is considered as an

example of good European practices in the field of rights of persons belonging to minorities by the

monitoring body of the Framework Convention on Minorities. Minority groups represent in Romania over

10% of total population. They are represented in the Government's consultative body which has

constitutionally guaranteed representation in Parliament.

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