Hungary will not restrict judicial immunity, the Justice Minister told the Hungarian news agency MTI on Thursday.
Judit Varga said during its last two terms the Hungarian government had introduced a number of measures with a view to curbing corruption.
Hungary implemented the recommendations of the Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO Group) in all instances where they sought to tackle genuine problems related to corruption, she said.
The Hungarian legislation also withstands the test of international comparison, the Justice Minister pointed out, adding that Hungary implemented all GRECO recommendations relating to punishable acts falling within the realm of corruption and is ahead of several Member States of the European Union in the case of other recommendations as well.
Regarding the percentage of non-implemented recommendations relating to attorneys, Hungary’s performance is above the average of the 42 countries examined, and is ranked higher than seven Member States of the EU, Ms. Varga pointed out.
“In every instance, our positions regarding GRECO recommendations are determined on the basis of legal and professional criteria,” the Justice Minister said, adding that in Hungary the assessment of the applications of judges is a complex, multi-actor process in which almost all actors of judicial administration play a key part and for which GRECO recommendations relating to judges have no consideration.
Ms. Varga further highlighted that the current rules of immunity guarantee that judges and prosecutors perform their duties free from any influence or harassment.
“In contrast to GRECO’s recommendations, limiting this is not a feasible option, and could additionally make Hungary a target for further unfounded attacks regarding the independence of the judiciary,” the Justice Minister stressed.