Judges on intent: Poland approved controversial legal reform
The lower house of Parliament in Warsaw approved the controversial rule of the ruling party, which allows punish judges for engaging in "political activity" - so that criticism can lead to a fine and even loss of work. The UN warned that "the law endangers the independence of the Polish judiciary, which has already been severely damaged"
Judges on intent: Poland approved controversial legal reform
Poland's parliament last Friday approved a controversial law that facilitates dismissal of judges who criticize the legal reforms initiated by the ruling party. The law passed by a majority of 233 votes to 205 opponents in a vote in the lower house of Parliament in Warsaw. Now, the bill will pass a Senate ballot, the Supreme House, which cannot block legislation but can delay it.
According to the law, which the government initiated by the Conservative Justice and Justice Party, judges may be punished for engaging in "political activity". The practical implication is that any judge who doubts the legitimacy of other judges whose candidate is being considered by the National Council of Judiciary runs the risk of paying a fine, cutting his salary or, in some cases, even losing his job.
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Demonstration against Polish legal reform in Kielce city on December 18, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)
The ruling party even changed the law allowing the lower house of parliament, which it controls, to elect members of the judiciary in 2018. Before the law was passed, thousands of protesters gathered in various locations around Poland earlier this month, protesting the law.
The law came just hours after the European Commission implored Poland to reconsider the changes. The country's high court this week warned that following the approval of the law, Poland could be forced to leave the EU.
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To the full articleDemonstration against legal reform near the Parliament building in Warsaw (Photo: AP)
Demonstration against Poland's judicial reform near a building in Warsaw, December 18, 2019 (Photo: AP)
The EU has blamed the Justice and Justice Party for politicizing the judiciary since coming to power in 2015. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said the law "further jeopardizes the independence of the Polish judiciary, which has already been severely damaged."
The Law and Justice Party claims that Poland needs legal reforms to tackle corruption and make the judiciary more effective, claiming it is still haunted by the Communist era. The party also insists that other EU countries allow politicians to take part in judicial elections. In contrast, critics fear that the government is reducing the independence of the Polish judiciary.