site.btaJudges Ask European Commission to Press for Real Results in Bulgarian Judicial Reform

Judges Ask European Commission to Press for Real Results in Bulgarian Judicial Reform

Sofia, January 15 (BTA) - The Bulgarian Judges' Association (BJA) has asked the European Commission to urge the country's power-holders to produce real results in reforming the national judicial system.

"The weaknesses of the judicial reform and the fight against corruption and organized crime - a problem which has taken a long time to define - have been covered up and still stand today," the BJA wrote in an open letter to the Commission. The Association insisted that when making recommendations to the government, the Commission should call for a shift "from a policy of actions to a policy of results."

"The lack of a functioning and independent judicial system which ought to serve the interests of Bulgarian citizens is threatening to transcend the boundaries of domestic problems and jeopardize the common market, the rule of competition and the goals set by the EU and financed by European funds," the letter says.

"The erosion of statehood in this country has exacerbated the erosion of European values, making part of the EU borderland an insecure place for the economy, free enterprise, security and human rights. The failure to identify the problems in the field of justice and to impose the required fair penalties may encourage policies which are damaging to European citizens and European democracy and reinforce Euro-skepticism in the new member states," the BJA wrote.