13/10/2017
Strasbourg, Council of Europe - I have learned that the President of the Republic of Moldova has made very critical statements casting doubt on the judgments of the Constitutional Court and the impartiality of its judges. I would like to recall that in a democratic state, governed by the rule of law, criticisms of constitutional court decisions are permissible as long as they are respectful.
While freedom of expression is a fundamental value in a democratic state, the holders of public office must show restraint in their criticism. Disrespectful criticism, and in particular threatening statements, against judges aimed at influencing the Court’s decisions are inadmissible.