GENEVA / WARSAW (27 October 2017) – The independence of Poland’s judicial system and other crucial democratic standards like the separation of powers are under threat, UN Special Rapporteur Diego García-Sayán has concluded after an official mission to the country.
“The reform and modernization of judicial institutions is a legitimate objective for any Government to pursue, but any such reform should aim at strengthening, not undermining, the independence of the justice system,” said Mr. García-Sayán, who is mandated to monitor the independence of judges and lawyers.
“The Constitutional Tribunal is the first victim of the reform. The tribunal is still in place, but its independence and legitimacy have been seriously undermined.