Government submits amendments to judicial laws for OECD accession

In order to join the OECD, which is expected next year, the Government submitted amendments to five judicial laws to the parliamentary procedure at its session on Thursday. This includes amendments to the Criminal Code and the introduction of a new criminal offense – the endangering of life and property by an artificial intelligence system.

Amendments to the Courts Act, the Criminal Code, the Criminal Procedure Act, the Act on the Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organized Crime, and the Act on the Protection of Whistleblowers have been submitted to the Parliament.

Presenting the package Justice, Administration and Digital Transformation Minister Damir Habijan noted that the amendments are key to ensure Croatia’s accession to the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development): "Amendments to the Courts Act, among other things, prohibit judges from receiving gifts and increase the share of the quality and quantity of judges' work in their evaluation (from a maximum of 60 to a maximum of 70 points)."

Minister Habijan went on to comment on the need to properly deal with the onset of AI: "Recognizing the fact of the development of artificial intelligence technology, especially its application in automated vehicles and the associated threats to life, body and property, it is proposed to introduce a new criminal offense - endangering life and property by an artificial intelligence system."

The minister concluded that the goal of the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act is to speed up the criminal proceedings themselves and simplify the proceedings before an indictment panel.

Source: HRT