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On 8 February 2013, The Promo-LEX Association, in partnership with the Association for Efficient and Responsible Governance (AGER), held a roundtable to launch the project “Increasing Government Accountability by Monitoring the Justice Sector Reform”, implemented with the financial support of the European Union through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights.

The project is aimed at strengthening the capacity of the civil society to monitor the reform implementation process in Moldova.

“Monitoring the implementation of public policies and reforms is one of the basic functions of the civil society. Thus, Promo-LEX aims to monitor the implementation of the justice sector reform, in order not only to observe the events but also to contribute substantially to the reform itself,” said Promo-LEX director Ion Manole.

Ambassador Dirk Schuebel, Head of the EU Delegation in Moldova, reiterated the importance of the subject for advancing the EU-Moldova political dialogue as well as for the general development of the Moldovan society. H.E. Mr. Schuebel wished the project partners success in achieving their objectives and encouraged them to make full use of the opportunities to influence and contribute to improving the justice sector reform.

The event included a presentation of the project context and objectives, planned activities and expected results. The roundtable was also presented the Monitoring Methodology of the civil society in assessing the implementation of the justice sector reform in Moldova.

“The Civic Monitoring Mission will be conducted over 18 months between 1 February 2013 and 31 July 2014. The monitoring will focus on the observation of two main components: the assessment of activities included in the Justice Sector Reform Strategy Action Plan, and trial monitoring. The Civic Monitoring Mission includes 38 national monitors of the Promo-LEX Association. The network of monitors will follow the conduct of first instance trials in district courts, Courts of Appeal, the Supreme Court of Justice as well as specialized courts. They will provide the team with analysis and monitoring reports based on the methodology developed for this purpose,” said Olesea Stamate, director of the AGER.

Following up on these activities, the project will produce, over the next 18 months, three detailed monitoring reports, three progress notes, and will organize six public discussions/debates on the subject.

“Monitoring court hearings will allow trained monitors to assess both quantitative and qualitative aspects of the administration of justice by Moldovan courts of ordinary jurisdiction. Another purpose of the trial monitoring will be to enhance the compliance of the Moldovan law and practice with the standards of good administration of justice established by the ECHR “said expert Dovydas Vitkauskas, one of the authors of the methodology.

Project partners are looking forward to the cooperation and openness of law enforcement bodies in the justice reform monitoring process, in order to contribute to making the changes irreversible. They also hope to be able to not only provide an impartial outlook on the achievements and failures encountered along the reform process, but also assist responsible institutions on various segments of the reform.

For more details, please contact: Iulia Munteanu, Press Officer
Tel: (22) 450024, GSM: 069072579, email: [email protected]