The Action against Corruption in the Republic of Moldova presented the results of the assessment on the composition and operation of the Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP) during an online workshop on 23 April 2021. The event brought together representatives of the Superior Council of Prosecutors, General Prosecution Office, Ministry of Justice, civil society organizations and cooperation partners.
In his opening speech, Mr Evgeni Evgeniev, Head of Unit, Economic Crime and Cooperation Division, Council of Europe, noted that the assessment aims to advise the authorities and relevant decision-makers in the Republic of Moldova on possible ways to consolidate the activity of the SCP through changes to internal practices, and legislative and regulatory framework.
Mr Martin McDowell, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Moldova, noted that corruption remains a serious problem in Moldova, and therefore it is especially important to ensure that justice sector institutions, including SCP and the Prosecution Service, are able to successfully maintain integrity while discharging their duties and earn the trust of the citizens they serve.
During the event, representatives of the Republic of Moldova and Council of Europe experts exchanged views on possible mechanisms to further consolidate the functioning of the SCP in line with GRECO recommendations and international good practices of independence applicable to prosecutorial councils. The recommendations addressed, inter alia, the status and conditions of service of SCP members, membership and election criteria within SCP, functioning of SCP and its relationship with its professional Colleges and the General Prosecution Office. Moreover, the assessment underlined important elements of the composition, organization and functioning of prosecutorial councils from other Council of Europe member states.
In its Second Compliance Report of Fourth Evaluation Round on the Republic of Moldova, GRECO recommended appropriate measures be taken to ensure that the composition and operation of the Superior Council of Prosecutors be subject to appropriate guarantees of objectivity, impartiality and transparency, including by abolishing the ex-officio participation of the Minister of Justice and the President of the Superior Council of Magistracy.
This activity was organized within the framework of the project “Action against corruption in the Republic of Moldova”, funded by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the US Department of State and implemented by the Council of Europe.
- Reports: here