CHISINAU, Apr 1 Commission for Emergency Situations in Moldova, under the leadership of Prime Minister Dorin Recean, decided to temporarily ban members of the Supreme Court of Justice from dismissal, the press service of the government of the republic reported.
The general meeting of judges of Moldova was held on Friday for the first time since 2019. At this meeting, new members of the Supreme Council of Magistracy (SCM) and the Supreme Court of Justice were supposed to be approved, but the members of the council could not agree, the meeting was postponed to April 28. The Security Council, led by President Maia Sandu, decided on March 20 that the composition of the SCM should be approved within 30 days.
«Members of the Commission for Emergency Situations stated the emergency situation that has developed in the Supreme Court of Justice and approved the decision to take an urgent temporary measure to suspend the acceptance of applications for the resignation of judges for 30 days in order to ensure the work of the institution,» the website of the Cabinet of Ministers reported.
The commission explained that this is an emergency measure, since it is necessary to correct and provide a legal framework for the functioning of justice. If a significant part of the vacancies in the Supreme Court of Justice is filled in the near future, then the decision of the commission may be canceled earlier than in 30 days.
In March last year, a law on preliminary screening of candidates for the Supreme Council of Magistracy and the Supreme Court of Justice came into force in Moldova. According to him, candidates for positions in these departments will be checked for integrity. A special commission, which also includes foreign experts, will check the entire inner circle of judges. The Association of Judges of Moldova and the Association of Judges «Voice of Justice» condemned the initiative of the authorities, in response to the decision to check, there was a mass resignation from the Supreme Court of Justice and other justice bodies of the republic.
The Supreme Council of Magistracy of Moldova is the body responsible for the organization and functioning of the judiciary. In addition to judges, it is composed of the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General. Members of the SCM submit proposals to the president or parliament on reshuffles in the judiciary, take the oath of judges, approve the regulations for the selection of candidates for vacant positions in the judiciary.