Unique event at INJ: public lecture, given by the President of the European Court of Human Rights, Siofra O'Leary

Today, May 23, 2024, at the National Institute of Justice, the President of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), Siofra O'Leary, held a public lecture attended by the INJ audience and trainers, as well as representatives of the legal system and experts in the field. The theme of the event concerned Protocol no. 16 additional to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR), which entered into force for the Republic of Moldova on October 1, 2023, thus marking a significant step in strengthening the protection of fundamental rights in our country.

At the opening, Adrian Cerbu, Interim Director of the INJ, Diana Rotundu, President of the INJ Council, Dumitru Obada, President of the Superior Council of Prosecutors, and Diana Sârcu, Judge at the ECtHR from the Republic of Moldova spoke. "INJ, as a legal training institution, has undertaken to integrate European norms and values in the training of professionals in the legal field. In this sense, today's event is a unique opportunity, especially for our audience, to understand, first-hand, the impact and importance of Protocol No. 16 of the Convention, which opens new ways of collaboration between national courts and the European Court of Human Rights. By becoming judges and prosecutors, they will play a essential role in the implementation of these norms in the national judicial practice", mentioned, in his speech, the interim Director of the INJ, Adrian Cerbu.

The President of the Strasbourg Court spoke about the implications and value of Protocol no. 16 additional to the ECHR, which facilitates the cooperation between the Constitutional Courts and the Supreme Courts of the member states of the Council of Europe and the ECtHR. Thus, this protocol provides the opportunity for national courts to request advisory opinions on the interpretation or application of the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the ECHR. The event offered the audience a unique opportunity to interact with the high representative of European justice and to familiarize themselves with the effects of this legal instrument which aims to prevent possible convictions of the state at the Strasbourg Court and ensure an increased level of protection of human rights for citizens. During the question and answer session, topics were addressed regarding the reasons for rejection by the ECtHR of requests for advisory opinions, the duration of the procedure for issuing them depending on the categories of requests, the way in which the impact of advisory opinions is evaluated, the ratification by a few member states of the CoE of Protocol no. 16 etc.

The public lesson was preceded by the official meeting between the Interim Director of the INJ and the officials of the European Court of Human Rights. During the discussions, the importance of the promotion and protection of human rights was emphasized in the legal training activities addressed especially to future judges and prosecutors who will play an essential role in the application of European norms in national judicial practice.