E-2414/04
Parliamentary questions Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission (written question: E-2414/04) (17.11.2004) As for the question on whether the Commission has any information on problems within the Romanian justice system, in the 2004 Regular Report on Romaniaâ?Ts Progress Toward Accession(1) the Commission assessed that since 1997 progress had been made to address the required reform of the justice system. Nevertheless, the Report also concluded that certain serious problems remain. In particular the executive continues to limit the independence of the judiciary in practice, the effective management of court cases needs to be improved, the legal aid system needs to be enhanced, case law needs to be made far more accessible and the professional training of judges, clerks and other support staff should be enhanced to ensure the consistent quality of court judgments. The Romanian administration has passed a package of legislation intended to address these issues that entered into force at the end of September 2004. The Commission will monitor the progress made in implementing these laws very closely as an effective implementation on the ground is now the highest priority. In the above areas, Romania is receiving and will continue to receive considerable Phare assistance to improve the infrastructure and equipment in the court system. As for the question on whether the Commission can intervene in individual legal cases or demand explanations from the Romanian authorities, judgements in individual civil and criminal cases in Romania fall within the scope of Romanian law. They are not covered by the EU-Romania Association Agreement or by the body of EU law that Romania must apply to become a Member State and, as such, the Commission is not competent to intervene. Individuals in Romania must pursue their cases through the national courts, but once they have obtained a final ruling if they feel it is unsatisfactory they may challenge it before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. To do so, however, they must demonstrate that they have exhausted all possibilities for redress in Romania, have followed the correct procedures (in particular that all relevant deadlines have been respected) and that their rights as protected by the European Convention on Human Rights have been violated. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) SEC(2004) 1200. -------------------------------------------------------------------- On line: 17 November 2004 Webmaster     ©     Disclaimer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar. Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free! http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/DXOolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Sageata Albastra e cea mai mare tzeapa a transportului public! Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/protest-ro/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/