The Bulgarian Judiciary Get the Message on Corruption
The Second National Judicial Conference sponsored by USAID brought together over 700 Bulgarian judges to discuss and debate various substantive and administrative issues. Speeches during the event’s Opening Session focused on the role of Bulgarian judges in judicial reform, in the dispensation of justice and protection of the rule of law. The speakers included Bulgaria Vice President Angel Marin; US Ambassador John Beyrle; Minister of Justice Giorgi Petkanov; Chair of the Supreme Court of Cassation, Judge Ivan Grigorov; and Chair of the Supreme Administrative Court, Judge Konstantin Penchev.
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| Ambassador Beyrle urges Bulgaria to summon the political will to effect meaningful long-term reforms |
While the messages came from different institutions, they had a common thread. US Ambassador Beyrle noted that the attending judges had been “the most effective and eloquent advocates of judicial reform.”
However, he also stated the problem frankly: “Organized criminal groups are operating with impunity in this society. This must be stopped. There must be zero tolerance for organized crime and corruption in Bulgaria."
Ambassador Beyrle made it clear that the US wants to see Bulgaria succeed, but also said in his final remarks that the political will to carry this on, to defeat the mentality that tolerates crime and corruption, must come from the Bulgarian side.
Earlier in the week, representatives from all 25 EU nations asked pointed and difficult questions of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC). The SJC is the national administrative body for the judicial branch. The EU representatives heavily criticized the SJC for Bulgaria’s slow judicial reform progress. They asked the Supreme Judicial Council to give clear explanations about their work against the organized crime and corruption, but responses were considered over-generalized by the EC Head of Delegation.
Of particular concern was a recent decision where the SJC abused its discretionary authority and made a judicial appointment apparently based on nepotism and not merit. Over ninety-two Bulgarian judges sent an open letter to the SJC questioning this appointment.
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