Moldovan PM's addressing on situation in justice

Chisinau, 26 September /MOLDPRES/ - The addressing by Prime Minister Maia Sandu on the situation in justice:    

Good afternoon,

Although we are in a quite congested period, on which we intensely work for building the budget for the next year, I just feel obliged to give you an alarming message. What is happening in the justice system on these days is serious and symptomatic.   

In my capacity of prime minister, I have the duty before the citizens to inform them when events take place which can hit the lives of each of us.

I want to convey clear-cut messages to the society, as well as to the judges, on the general assembly of the judges, planned for 27 September. I think that the tomorrow event and especially the string of events which preceded the convening of this assembly are worth the special interest on behalf of the media and the society.    

Dear fellow countrymen, both from Moldova and from outside the country,

The immediately next period is crucial for the fate of Moldova. The future of this country depends on the success of the justice reform. Either we make a leap towards civilization and justice and align with the European countries, where the human rights are observed or we plunge deeper into the post-Soviet past and shape a father, sing him hosannas and put him golden monuments, while people live in poverty.   

Everybody knows that we have big problems in justice. Thanks to journalists, I have learned about more terrible cases. I learned the case of a mother of four children, sentenced to six years of imprisonment for the theft of a bag with potatoes. At the same time, I learned about the candidates for the office of judge, who at the age of 25-27 years own houses and luxurious vehicles and the profession of judge runs the risk of being transmitted hereditarily, as a title of nobleman. Due to journalists’ investigations, we know how judges refusing to obey the phone instructions of the heads from the judicial system are pressed and harassed.      

At the same time, I saw how persons involved in the one-billion-dollar theft enter and leave court rooms smiling and what is more serious - free.

The justice we, the citizens, need is the justice in which the thieves stay in prison. In which people with palaces and accounts of millions gained though injustice and the others’ tragedy are punished. In which the children and young people of this country will have models to be followed not bandits with luxurious cars, not corrupt officials full of easily made money, not enrichment at the expense of one’s neighbor.

Time is ripe for us to show that we can be united. That we can be united against the unpunished theft. That we do not forgive and do not forget the crimes from the past.

Our efforts in the justice reform sector have started yielding fruits. After three months, this week, we saw the lift of the immunity of a controversial judge. And this bothers. Some judges started being discontented. We know that we have honest judges. Yet, we also know that we have interest groups which oppose the reform. Groups having to lose most of all, if true justice appears in Moldova. People having what to lose.   

Dear judges,

I understand that most of you do not like what is happening in justice. I know that you have to face some sets of corrupt people who so far have had political coverage and have worked together with thieves, in order to control the entire justice system. I know that you have what to reproach to politicians for the state of things in justice.    

On Friday, the entire country will follow what you are doing. Your neighbours, your classmates, your parents and relatives, the people from the villages, cities and towns where you were born will see what you are doing. Do not regard us as naïve. The citizens understand quite well each one’s value. Citizens see who is on the side of the law and who is on the side of thieves in the fight you wage.    

We expect from the judges to be correct and fair. You have obligation, power and capacity to clean yourselves of the evil and regain people’s trust. Yet, we also have obligation to do our utmost to make sure that people have a fair justice. The people keep a close eye on you.   

It is welcome the fact that judges started discussing between them and wishing changes in justice; yet, the way the tomorrow judges’ assembly was convened remind us the odious practices of the last three-four years. The lack of transparency, guidance from the shadow, judges’ rulings issued with the light’s speed. The coordinated actions seem to have a single goal: blocking the work of the Superior Council of Magistrates (CSM). I am not alarmed by your intention to change the CSM’s composition, as long as there are honest people in CSM, who are backing the reforms and the CSM is functional. I am concerned by the intention of some people to block the activity of CSM and, respectively, to block the reforms.     

The reforms will continue in justice, no matter some people’s efforts to thwart them. We are open to discuss and improve the drafts proposed by us according to the good international practices. Thereby, the Justice Ministry started public consultations.   

Dear citizens,

As long as the money given for roads remain in offshore zones, as long as the successful companies taken over forcibly remain to be owned by the mafia members, as long as the money stolen from the state through schemes was not recovered, as long as the justice tolerates the theft, we do not have future in Moldova.   

The current justice tolerated the one-billion-dollar theft. The justice tolerated and even was a key element in the laundering of billions through our banking system, known worldwide as Laundromat. The justice derided the vote of the electors at the polls in Chisinau. The present justice still tolerates in it people who must get into its hands. This must change. And it already starts changing.  

The fight is far from being won; yet, I promise you one thing: in this fight for justice, I will always be on the side of the citizens and the public interest.   

Thank you for trust.