Kit Gillet - ‘We must fight on’ – Romania’s crusader against corruption will not back down
Among the thousands of
placards on display over the last two weeks of mass anti-government protests in Romania – the largest
the country has seen in a quarter of a century – are many that read “Hands off
DNA”, a reference to Romania’s national anti-corruption directorate, or DNA for
short.
The agency, which was
founded in 2003, has been at the forefront of the country’s fight against
official misconduct, and with the government’s recent moves to decriminalise
certain types of low-level corruption, many on the streets have rallied to the
agency’s defence.
Sitting in her
Bucharest office just a mile from the main protest site, DNA’s chief
prosecutor, Laura Codruţa Kovesi, who has increasingly become the face of Romania’s
anti-corruption efforts, explains the issues at stake. “Since Emergency
Ordinance 13 was adopted, every day is a risk for the justice system,” Kovesi
said. The ordinance, which was passed in a late-night session by Sorin
Grindeanu’s new government on 31 January, effectively decriminalised official
misconduct in which the financial damage was less than 200,000 lei (£38,000).
It was then repealed, but only after hundreds of thousands took to the streets in opposition. Few
believe the government has permanently backed down, and protests have
continued.
Kovesi, whose quiet
demeanour belies the storm she regularly whips up among the rich and powerful,
says the dangers for anti-corruption efforts haven’t diminished. “From my point of view
the risk hasn’t been changed,” she said. “People who have the jurisdiction, who
have the ability to amend the legislation, are saying now that there will be
several additional amendments. I don’t think we can be at peace.”
Romania has long been
plagued by corruption, but since joining the EU the country has made
significant strides in dealing with the issue. Despite these efforts, it
remains a major concern.
Part of the anger felt
by those who have taken to the streets in recent weeks comes from the fact that
many Romanian politicians in office are currently facing corruption
investigations, or have already been indicted or convicted of crimes. There are
worries that these latest moves by the government are simply attempts to
protect the political class at the expense of the common people. “The most important
thing is that Romanians feel that nobody is above the law, and we need to
maintain this,” said Kovesi, her office walls adorned with religious imagery as
well as colourful paintings by a niece. “We must not pass laws that favour
those who commit serious crimes.”.. read more:
