Moldovan Parliament Urged to Overhaul Police and Prosecution Reforms
Chisinau, Moldova - A scathing report has called for sweeping reforms within the country’s police and prosecution services, citing widespread inefficiencies and lack of transparency. The report highlights several key issues plaguing the system, including poor asset verification methods, inadequate staff remuneration, and inconsistent court practices.
Key Issues with Police and Prosecution Services
- Poor asset verification methods
- Inadequate staff remuneration
- Inconsistent court practices
- Contradictory and incomprehensible annual reports and statistics provided by various institutions
Recommendations for Reform
Enhance Transparency, Accountability, and Efficiency
- Grant the Prosecution Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (APO) the mandate to conduct criminal investigations into high-level officials and cases involving significant discrepancies between declared and actual wealth
- Expand APO’s mandate to include supervision of criminal investigations conducted by other agencies
Strengthen the Prosecution System
- Amend the Law on Specialized Prosecution Offices to allow heads of these offices to select their own teams of prosecutors
- Grant the chief prosecutor of specialized prosecution offices greater authority to employ specialists and investigative officers
Improve Budgeting and Staffing
- Ensure that the budget and staffing table of APO are sufficient to carry out its mandate effectively
- Abolish Article 307 of the Criminal Code, which relates to wilfully rendering a judgment in breach of the law
Importance of Reforms
The experts stress that these reforms are crucial for strengthening the rule of law and combating corruption in Moldova. “It is essential that our institutions be equipped with the necessary tools and resources to effectively investigate and prosecute cases involving high-level officials,” said one expert.
Government Response
In response to the report, a government spokesperson said that the authorities are “committed to implementing these reforms” and will work closely with Parliament to ensure their implementation. The European Union has also been pressing Moldova to implement reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s judiciary and law enforcement agencies.