The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Dr Vladimir Orlic met today with the Minister of Justice Maja Popovic, President of the Supreme Court of Cassation and High Judicial Council Jasmina Vasovic and Republic Public Prosecutor and President of the State Prosecutorial Council Zagorka Dolovac to discuss raising awareness among civil servants and politicians on the need to fully abide by court decisions aimed at realising the activities of the Revised Action Plan for Chapter 23: Judiciary and Fundamental Rights.
The participants of the meeting agreed that having regular quarterly meetings would be a good way to raise awareness and promote rules of conduct as regards abiding by court and public prosecution decisions, as well as the operation of courts and public prosecutor’s offices.
They also discussed the limits of allowed commenting on court decisions in the recently adopted opinions of the Venice Commission on the judiciary legislation.
Among other things, in its opinions, the Venice Commission pointed out that, in most cases, critical analysis and even strong opposition to court decisions is considered part of public debate regardless of whether the trial is completed or not. This type of public debate, including expert analysis of court decisions, is in line with the European Convention on Human Rights.
It was concluded that the adoption of judiciary legislation containing this type of solutions would enable the strengthening of the rule of law in the Republic of Serbia and harmonisation with international standards in the field, the adoption of which by the National Assembly is expected in early February of next year.