USR reacted after the decision of the Section for Judges of the CSM, which spoke of an “unprecedented attack on the independence of the judiciary”, arguing that the inclusion of politicians, journalists and civic organizations in this context can create a dangerous precedent and lead to risks of censorship.
According to USR, the reaction arose following the decision of the CSM, the Section for Judges, which claims the existence of a “unprecedented attack on the independence of the judiciary”.
“The section for judges of the Superior Council of the Magistracy published today a decision in which it nominates political parties, politicians, journalists, publications and civic organizations as authors of a campaign to discredit justice. Among those targeted is the USR, as a party and through its representatives. Some people outside the party were falsely categorized as USR, as if being close to public positions was sufficient proof of political affiliation. We take note great concern about this approach. Not because we are afraid of a critical point of view, but because the gesture itself raises serious questions – both in form and in substance.”he writes in the document published on Wednesday evening by USR.
The press release also says that “USR has defended the independence of the judiciary since its foundation” and that “our parliamentarians from the first mandate opposed, with all constitutional means, the Dragnea laws that aimed at the political subordination of magistrates.”
USR representatives talk about a “absurd irony” and by one “real risk of abuse of power and censorship”.
“That USR is now on a list of enemies of justice is, at best, an absurd irony. At worst, it is an alarm signal about the state of democracy. The right to opinion of politicians is constitutionally guaranteed. So is the freedom of the press and the right to free expression of civic organizations and any citizen. And the proper functioning of justice is a matter of public interest, subject to debate. When an institution with authority within the judiciary is positioned against all those who express critical opinions, regardless of the substance of those opinions, and qualifies as a campaign the democratic exercise of public debate, there is a real risk of abuse of power and censorship”, it says in the press release.
Finally, USR calls for a serious public debate and warns that “a decision that divides the press into good and bad, that nominates politicians and parties, journalists and editors in a list of enemies of justice, exceeds the limits of legitimate defense”.
The section for judges of the CSM reported that it found the existence of an unprecedented attack on the independence of the judiciary and decided to defend the independence of the judges. The conclusion is supported by the vast majority of Romanian judges.
