“What happened in Moldova was not an imitation of reform, but a genuine process of scrutiny and cleansing. For example, the vetting commission has access to all bank accounts belonging to judges and judicial candidates, as well as to all records of their expenditures over the previous twelve years. The same applies to their close relatives. The process also includes an assessment of whether senior judges and prosecutors have evaded taxes during the previous five years. In addition, it examines the ethical conduct of judges in cases handled over the past ten years.
Such a stringent procedure naturally provoked resistance. Lawsuits, procedural delays, and attempts to discredit the process undermined the authority of vetting, which initially enjoyed little public confidence. Over time, however, this began to change.
European Pravda spoke with participants in the process, examined a large number of documents, and tells the story of a system that has begun to work in Moldova – and one that should serve as a lesson for Ukraine, especially since this reform is one of the key requirements for progress toward EU membership.” — European Pravda.
The article “How Moldova Succeeded: The EU-Backed Justice Reform That Ukraine Never Dared to Undertake” examines Moldova’s justice reform through the perspective of the external evaluation (vetting) process, highlighting how the integrity assessment of judges and prosecutors, supported by the involvement of international experts, has become a key element in strengthening the rule of law and advancing the country’s European integration path.
Read the full article HERE.
The European Pravda (EuroPravda, EP) website is the first popular news media in Ukraine with a primary focus on EU Affairs, European events, and Ukraine’s European future.