Prosecutors, judges and lawyers in Novi Sad, Serbia, gathered in front of the city court on February 2 to protest the recently adopted court laws.
Elchi.az reports that a number of judges and prosecutors working in Novi Sad courts also joined the action.
They left the courthouse and showed solidarity with the protesters gathered in front of it.
Students of Novi Sad University also supported the event.
Speaking at the event, lawyer Srdjan Popovic emphasized the importance of the independence of the judiciary:
“What is happening now is not a reform, but a direct attack on the judicial system. That is why we need unity today. We need the unity of all judges, all prosecutors, all lawyers and all of us. Without independent courts, there can be neither justice nor a state. Without an independent and autonomous bar association, the protection of citizens’ rights is impossible. We can only protect the constitution and the rule of law through unity.”
It should be reminded that a few days ago, the Serbian parliament adopted a package of controversial laws on the judicial system. It is reported that the adopted amendments will effectively hinder the activities of the Organized Crime Prosecution (MCMP) by removing some of its prosecutors from this institution. According to the laws, prosecutors who are temporarily seconded to other prosecutor’s offices will have to return to their previous prosecutor’s offices within a specified period. This means that the MCMP, which currently has only 9 prosecutors, will lose 11 prosecutors who are temporarily seconded to its work.
The new and amended laws cover the territories and jurisdictions where courts and prosecutor’s offices are located, the Supreme Council of Prosecutors, as well as state prosecutors and judges.