Romania's Prosecutor General: Trust in justice must be earned daily, not taken for granted

A day for reflection on the rule of law

Romania marked Justice Day on 5 July with messages from the country's top judicial figures. Prosecutor General Cristina Chiriac and the Ministry of Justice both issued statements, framing the occasion as more than a ceremonial event. Chiriac described it as a moment to reflect on the fundamental ideal of the rule of law: the administration of justice.

This day is not just about institutions, laws, procedures or competences. It is, above all, about trust - the citizen's trust that their rights are protected, the victim's trust that their suffering will be heard, the accused's trust that they will receive a fair trial, and society's trust that the law applies equally to all.

Trust as the system's most important resource

The Prosecutor General stressed that trust is the judiciary's most valuable asset, but one that can no longer be taken for granted. In an era of rapid change, social polarisation, disinformation and unprecedented technological shifts, she said, that trust must be earned and reconfirmed every day through professionalism, integrity and responsibility.

We do not administer only files. We administer hopes, expectations and, sometimes, the last resources of trust that citizens still have in the state.

Challenges from technology and organised crime

Chiriac pointed to a justice system facing profound transformation. Organised crime is becoming more sophisticated and transnational, the digital space creates both opportunities and unprecedented risks, and artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are radically changing how offences are committed and what society expects from the judiciary. The Ministry of Justice added that fundamental rights, constitutional order and public peace depend directly on the proper functioning of the judicial system.

Independence as a guarantee for citizens

The Prosecutor General argued that judicial independence is not a privilege for magistrates but a guarantee of citizens' freedom. She called for institutions that are more modern, more efficient and closer to the citizen, with continuous professional training, digitalisation and stronger inter-institutional and international cooperation.

The force of justice lies in legitimacy

Chiriac concluded that the strength of justice does not come from the power to punish but from its ability to convince society that its decisions are legitimate, impartial and lawful. When citizens lose faith in institutions' capacity to uphold the law, she warned, the very foundation of democratic coexistence erodes.

The force of justice does not reside in the power to sanction, but in its capacity to convince society that its solutions are legitimate, impartial and in accordance with the law.