Romania signs Convention on protection of lawyer profession

Autor: Cătălin Lupășteanu

Publicat: 22-10-2025 00:05

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Sursă foto: Inquam Photos / Octav Ganea

Minister of Justice Radu Marinescu signed on Tuesday, at the headquarters of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, the Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, underlining the essential role that lawyers and their professional associations play in supporting the rule of law.

According to the Ministry of Justice, the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, to which Romania has become a signatory, is the first of its kind at the international level and explicitly enshrines the obligation of states to guarantee: the independence of lawyers from any external interference; the effective protection of lawyers against threats, intimidation, harassment and reprisals; free and non-discriminatory access to the profession; the confidentiality of the lawyer-client relationship and the freedom of expression of lawyers, within the limits of the legal framework; the promotion of a fair justice system, in which the lawyer has an indispensable role in guaranteeing access to defense and a fair judging.

''The signing of the Convention by Romania has a double significance: it reaffirms the firm commitment of the Romanian state to the values and standards of the Council of Europe regarding human rights, the rule of law and democracy; it sends a strong signal of confidence to the legal profession and to the entire society that Romania actively supports the protection of defenders of justice and their independence'', reads a post on the Ministry of Justice's Facebook account.

The international reference instrument strengthens the protection of the legal profession and the right to exercise it independently and without discrimination, obstacles or undue interference, while regulating a legal framework in which lawyers will be able to carry out their activity without being subjected to attacks, threats, harassment or intimidation, the cited source informs.

After ratification, the Convention will strengthen the national framework that targets the right to practice, professional rights, freedom of expression, professional discipline and protective measures specific to the legal profession.

''On this occasion, the Minister of Justice, Radu Marinescu, emphasized the essential role that lawyers and their professional associations play in upholding the rule of law, ensuring access to justice and guaranteeing the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the signing of the Convention representing a declaration of principle and commitment'', the Ministry of Justice notes.

The event was also attended by PNL senator Cristian-Augustin Niculescu-Tagarlas, member of the Legal Committee.

"By signing this Convention, Romania sends a strong message: the rule of law does not defend itself. The legal profession is a bastion of freedom and human dignity, and this international instrument offers it the protection it deserves. It is our duty to ensure that this commitment is translated into reality, through legislation and judicial practice, in the spirit of European values and free justice," the senator said, according to a release.

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