MEDEL strongly condemns the constant campaign of denigration of the judiciary, actively encouraged under the pretext of repeatedly reforming the Statute of Judges and Prosecutors in Romania.
MEDEL (Magistrats Européens pour la Démocratie et les Libertés) publicly condemns the ongoing campaign of denigration against the judiciary in Romania, relaunched in July 2025 by the ruling parties under the pretext of cutting the budget deficit. MEDEL warns that this climate of political hostility, led by high-ranking officials, not only threatens judicial independence but also erodes public trust in the justice system and its legitimacy, which is an essential component of the rule of law.
In its previous statements regarding Romania, MEDEL called on the Romanian Government to fully respect judicial independence and the international standards on freedom of expression and criticism of the judiciary, as set out in the opinions and recommendations of international institutions.
We refer in particular to Opinion No. 18 (2025) of the Consultative Council of European Judges: unbalanced critical commentary by politicians is irresponsible and causes serious problems, undermining public trust and confidence in the judiciary. In such cases, the judiciary must point out that such behaviour constitutes an attack on the constitution of a democratic state, as well as an attack on the legitimacy of another state power. Respect for the clear line between freedom of expression and legitimate criticism, on the one hand, and disrespect and undue pressure against the judiciary, on the other, requires that politicians must not resort to simplistic or demagogic arguments to criticise the judiciary during political campaigns merely for the sake of argument or in order to divert attention from their own shortcomings. Nor must they ever encourage disobedience to judicial decisions, let alone violence against judges. The executive and legislative powers must fulfil their obligation to provide all necessary and adequate protection when the functions of the courts are endangered by attacks or intimidation against members of the judiciary[1].
The constant campaign of vilification of judges in Romania during the last three years calls into question their ability to independently and properly perform their functions, as they are compromised by undue pressures to accept substantial yearly modifications to their statute. Legal stability and predictability cannot be ensured while the Statute of Judges and Prosecutors is being undermined on a yearly basis.
All this takes place while hate speech and public shaming can actively encourage disobedience to court decisions and incite violence against members of the judiciary, who are portrayed as public enemies and the main cause of budgetary constraints.
Reaffirming its prior statements on Romania, MEDEL:
- urges the Romanian authorities to uphold international standards and cease pressure tactics that destabilise and delegitimise the judiciary;
- supports the calls of the National Union of Judges in Romania for public powers and authorities to respect the constitutional statute of judges and to ensure that the principles of stability and predictability of this statute are not mere words, but a shared goal to uphold and preserve.
12 August 2025
[1] CCJE OPINION NO. 18 (2015) “The position of the judiciary and its relation with the other powers of state in a modern democracy” ( para 36, 52)
MEDEL Statement on Romania (.pdf 175Kb)