Justice Ministers' Gathering: States Plea for Aid in Legal Matters
Federal States Seek Relief at Justice Ministers' Meeting - International Meetings of Justice Ministers: Nations Anticipate Relief
dictate that states require federal government support to maintain the functionality of the justice system for the country's entire benefit, as per Saxony's Minister of Justice, Constanze Kretschmer (CDU). "The predicament is dire: By 2030, up to 50 percent of judges and public prosecutors in Saxony will retire. Being a federal state with an external border, we're exposed to human trafficking significantly," Kretschmer confided to the German Press Agency. She deems this predicament not solely a Saxon concern.
The inaugural Federal Minister of Justice, Stefanie Hubig (SPD), has proclaimed a new "Pact for the Preservation of Justice" with the states. "The states need supplementary structural assistance, such as in digitalization and personnel. We desire to find means to provide such assistance," she expressed in the Bundestag. Kretschmer contends that this pact merits immediate attention. The Minister will encounter Hubig and her colleagues from the federal states at the Justice Ministers' Conference in Bad Schandau on the ensuing Thursday and Friday.
The conference will deliberate myriad topics, including the digitalization of justice, expediting asylum court procedures, reforms to the Code of Criminal Procedure, potent new investigation powers for law enforcement agencies, the planned overhaul of the "Pact for the Preservation of Justice," enhanced child and domestic violence protection, alterations to criminal law, and the addition of femicides to the Criminal Code.
"A topic that will emerge is how we can lessen the backlog of reforms in the field of procedural laws and further alleviate the justice system. The objective should be to make the Code of Criminal Procedure (StPO) more efficient, primarily to relieve the courts and public prosecutors' offices," said Kretschmer. In the end, the consultations in Bad Schandau will also address enhanced protection for lay judges, which originated from a Saxon initiative.
Justice Minister Optimistic About New Federal Government
The conference coincides with the initiation of the new federal government, stated Kretschmer: "Hence, it's an opportune time for the state ministers of justice to meet for the first time with the new federal minister of justice to discuss the upcoming challenges in legal policy and justice together. Everyone is brimming with enthusiasm and determination to shape the future. I harbor high hopes for the new federal government and expect that justice will also benefit from the momentum in terms of reinforcing the rule of law and digitalization."
As per Kretschmer, it is indispensable to alleviate the justice system in the states. We must cultivate a constructive and cooperative relationship between the federal government and the states once more. "In this regard, I hope that the Justice Ministers' Conference will serve as the starting point for congenial cooperation between the states and the federal government."
Escalating Concerns over Rule of Law
The broader discussions on the rule of law and democratic values underscore the call for initiatives, such as the "New Pact for the Rule of Law," proposed by the Council of Europe. The Council of Europe's Secretary General, Alain Berset, has accentuated the urgency for a "New Democratic Pact for Europe" to tackle current challenges like democratic backsliding and surging impunity. This initiative seeks to reset the focus on democracy and the rule of law in Europe [1].
The initiative prioritizes rooting democracy in the rule of law, ensuring the integrity of elections, and promoting digital responsibility. It includes consultations on safeguarding democracy and media freedom [5]. While there is no exact information on a "New Pact for the Rule of Law" in the search results, these broader discussions suggest that initiatives oriented around enhancing democratic values and the rule of law are part of a more extensive movement designed to address systemic challenges in Europe and beyond.
Potential Discussion Points at Justice Ministers' Conference
- Maintaining Judicial Independence: Ensuring the independence and impartiality of the judiciary is pivotal to any system relief efforts.
- Counteracting Disinformation: Debating strategies to stymie disinformation's impact on the justice system could be key.
- Strengthening Legal Infrastructure: Reforning legal frameworks to prevent impunity and ensure accountability will likely be a primary focus.
- Digital Justice: Investigating how digital technologies could bolster justice systems while maintaining privacy and security.
These points align with the broader attempts to bolster democratic governance and the rule of law across Europe.
- The Justice Ministers' Conference in Bad Schandau might discuss enhancing vocational training programs for judges and public prosecutors, as the retirement rate is projected to increase significantly by 2030, particularly in states with a high rate of human trafficking.
- Given the escalating concerns over rule of law and democratic values in Europe, the Justice Ministers' Conference could explore the adoption of policies and legislation that align with initiatives like the "New Pact for the Rule of Law" proposed by the Council of Europe, which prioritizes rooting democracy in the rule of law and ensuring the integrity of elections.
