Strengthening the Rule of Law is a priority
"The Rule of Law is not only a central axis of the construction of the European Union, but a critical piece for our common future," said the Minister of Justice.
Minister of Justice, Francisca Van Dunem, at the Conference "Rule of Law in Europe”
The separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary are essential to its functioning and the protection of citizens' rights. The Rule of Law is part of Europe's heritage, as a common feature of identity for the political systems of the European States.
Francisca Van Dunem was speaking at the opening of the High Level Conference "Rule of Law in Europe", under the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU, in Coimbra, where she noted that since the beginning of the pandemic, the courts "have played an essential role as guarantors of the Constitution and fundamental rights".
The Minister of Justice said that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to strengthen the Rule of Law in European Union (EU) countries and that "the restriction of rights and the requirement for the normal functioning of institutions imply responsibility and control".
"The constitutional framework of the state of emergency was put into practice for the first time in our democratic regime", she added.
The Minister also said that the pandemic "showed how the criteria of necessity and proportionality in the restriction of rights and the effective independence of the powers of the State are essential" to the Rule of Law.
"Although subject to demanding tests in the context of COVID-19, the Rule of Law has a meaning and function inextricably linked to peace, freedoms and the guarantee of safety and justice in the daily lives of our citizens, beyond the pandemic", said the Minister.
According to Francisca Van Dunem, "it has never been so current to discuss the Rule of Law, while work continues to deepen it and justice systems play a key role in its defence, promotion and consolidation".
Recalling the "increase of forms of criminality such as cybercrime, the counterfeiting of medicines and medical products, hate crimes, domestic violence or the sexual abuse of children", the Minister said that the same health situation, of global scope, "has also shown the need to accelerate the modernization of Justice, using the new information and communication technologies".
Democratic legality is a key element; the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary are essential to its functioning and to the protection of citizens' rights.