Public Statement of the Institute for European Policies and Reforms
The Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE) has taken note of the study “The Pre-Vetting Phases – The Unseen Face of Justice Reform”, conducted with the support of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in cooperation with the Association of Administrative Jurists of Moldova (AJAM). The study analyzes the pre-vetting process carried out over the past three years and proposes recommendations for future reforms. We appreciate the authors’ efforts to contribute to the public debate on this crucial process for justice reform. However, based on the summary information available before the study’s presentation, we regret to note that it includes several unilateral interpretations, offering a partial perspective on the various viewpoints concerning this major public interest issue.
Emphasizing the importance of a multidimensional approach to the implementation process of justice sector reforms, and its evaluation, including from the perspective of the presented study, it is important to highlight that the extraordinary evaluation of judges and prosecutors is a complex transitional justice initiative, representing an essential component of judicial system reform. This process is a priority action under the Strategy for Ensuring the Independence and Integrity of the Justice Sector for 2022-2025. This process was conducted in close consultation with the Venice Commission, involving all relevant stakeholders at various stages, with the support of international partners and strict monitoring by international organizations, including the European Commission, ensuring compliance with European standards. The completion of the key stages of the extraordinary evaluation was one of the main conditions for the opening of Moldova’s EU accession negotiations, contributing to the strengthening of the independence and integrity of self-governing institutions in the justice sector, including the restructuring of the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM), the Superior Council of Prosecutors (CSP), and the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ).
The study addresses the role of international partners, as well as that of non-governmental organizations in monitoring and supporting justice sector reforms, limiting its analysis to only two think-tanks: the Legal Resources Centre from Moldova (CRJM)and the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE). In this context, we regret the authors’ frequently biased and limited approach regarding the role of civil society organizations, as the study promotes certain interpretations based on erroneous perceptions. We believe that the evaluation of the contribution of non-governmental organizations and think-tanks focused on public policies should be based on results and tangible impact on transparency, accountability, and the efficiency of good governance, the rule of law, and fundamental democratic values.
Given that, among other aspects, the study addresses the incident concerning access to personal data, in addition to IPRE’s public communication from January 2023, when the circumstances of this case were explained, we reiterate once again that IPRE has always acted in full compliance with the legal framework, and therefore we provide the following clarifications, also communicated in advance to the authors.
The single-user access to the cadastral web service, which led to the erroneous access to cadastral data beyond the intended scope, was possible based on a service contract concluded between IPRE and the Public Services Agency, in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 1543/1998 on the Cadastre of Real Estate[1]. As previously communicated, under this contract, a data analyst contracted by IPRE was assigned the role of single-user of the cadastral web service for real estate, tasked, during June – July 2022, exclusively with verifying information about real estate holdings of the subjects under evaluation in the context of independent evaluation. Neither IPRE, nor the contracted experts had no access to other databases or registries containing personal data.
After identifying the improper use of access to the cadastral web service, the Institute revoked the user’s access and took all possible measures to manage the case, providing all necessary information to authorities and requesting parties to clarify the circumstances and prevent similar situations in the future. Following investigations, the National Center for Personal Data Protection issued several decisions confirming that the respective user violated the legal provisions on personal data protection, leading to final and irrevocable court rulings that established the user’s administrative offense under Article 74/1 of the Contravention Code (processing personal data in violation of legislation). Currently, there is no final decision establishing IPRE’s culpability in this case, and transparency and communication on this matter have been ensured.
Additionally, we reiterate that IPRE is an independent, non-political, and non-profit think-tank, founded in 2015, with the mission of accelerating Moldova’s European integration by promoting systemic reforms, strengthening participatory democracy, and involving citizens in the decision-making process.
Through its activities, IPRE provides evidence-based expertise and analysis to support the development and implementation of key public policies essential for the modernization and democratization of the country. Over the past ten years, IPRE has is one of the leading think-tanks, collaborating with organizations in Moldova, the Eastern Partnership, the Western Balkans, the EU, and the USA, specializing in topics such as European integration, sustainable development, good governance, and the rule of law.
Throughout this period, IPRE has distinguished itself in policy research and development, facilitating dialogue between stakeholders at national and regional levels, supporting initiatives that advance European integration, public administration, and the rule of law, and having a significant impact on strengthening democracy and upholding fundamental rights.
In collaboration with other civil society organizations and think tanks from Moldova and abroad, IPRE conducts research activities, provides training programs on European integration and public administration, contributes to policy development and monitoring, and engages in advocacy at national, European, and regional levels.
IPRE’s portfolio includes over 80 projects carried out with national, European, and transatlantic partners, including UNDP, NATO, OSCE, the European Commission, EU member states, and international foundations such as the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, and the Open Society Foundations. These projects focus on key areas such as the implementation of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement, the EU accession process, foreign and security policy, strategic communication and countering disinformation, promoting decision-making transparency, and increasing citizen participation in democratic processes, thereby strengthening Moldova’s European path.
IPRE will continue to contribute to achieving its public interest mission in collaboration with all national and international actors who share democratic values, the rule of law, and good governance, as well as principles of integrity, transparency, fairness, and inclusive cooperation.
On the occasion of IPRE’s tenth anniversary, which we will celebrate in March 2025, we will share further updates on our team’s activities. In the meantime, we invite you to visit our website, www.ipre.md, where you can find reports, studies, and research results from IPRE’s projects conducted over the years.
20 February 2025
[1] Note: Art. 6 para. (1) and para. (2/1) of Law no. 1543/1998 of the Law on the Cadastre of Real Estate establishes that the information about the registration of rights in the RBI is public and is accessible, upon request, including by granting access to the database.
