The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of the Council of Europe has recently published two reports on Turkey. The Platform for an Independent Judiciary in Turkey believes these observations support its repeated warnings against the ill-treatment of imprisoned Turkish judges and prosecutors. It therefore appeals to the Turkish authorities, the European Commission and the Council of Europe with reconfirmed determination in this official statement.
Turkey – four years of dismantlement of the rule of law
Four years ago, on July 15th 2016, a failed coup d’état in Turkey set in motion an unprecedented and orchestrated campaign to destroy the Rule of Law and the independence of the Judiciary. Today, Platform for the independence of the judiciary in Turkey reaffirms its solidarity and support to all those judges, prosecutors and lawyers in Turkey that are truly independent and are engaged in the struggle for a free judiciary and the return of the rule of law in Turkey.
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Statement on presidential election in Malawi
After two official statements issued last month, Judges for Judges and three Commonwealth legal associations are pleased to note that in Malawi a Presidential election was duly held on 23 June 2020.
In their third joint statement they commend the Judiciary and Parliament for fulfilling their duties to the constitution, to their international obligations and to democratic principles.
Statement on forced retirement of Supreme Court judges in Malawi
For the second time in less than a week, Judges for Judges and three Commonwealth legal associations have issued a statement on the rule of law in Malawi. They express the most serious concern at the purported ‘leave pending retirement’ of the Chief Justice and Judges of the Supreme Court of Appeal.
In their new joint statement they call on the Malawi government to ensure that due process is followed in line with the national constitution and its international obligations.
Visuele ‘muur van solidariteit’ rond Igor Tuleya
Met de campagne #aWallBehindIgor hebben Europese collega’s een ‘muur van solidariteit’ gevormd rond de Poolse rechter Igor Tuleya. Een indrukwekkende collage maakt die morele steun zichtbaar.
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Statement on threats against judiciary in Malawi
Judges for Judges, the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association, the Commonwealth Legal Education
Association and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association are extremely concerned about the continued threats to the independence of the judiciary in Malawi.
In their joint statement published online, they urge all parties in Malawi to respect the authority of the judiciary and ensure that due process is followed in line with the Malawi constitution and its international obligations.
Polish judge Igor Tuleya’s immunity upheld
The Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court of Poland has refused to lift the immunity of judge Igor Tuleya. It ruled that he did not violate the law by allowing media to broadcast his hearing. In a short video clip, a grateful judge Tuleya addresses the legal community worldwide: ‘It should not make us less vigilant’.
Unprecedented disciplinary hearing for Polish judge
The controversial Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court of Poland has scheduled an unprecedented hearing: Judge Igor Tuleya stands to lose his immunity and his freedom. The Polish Judges Association Iustitia calls on the public to stand up in defense of judicial independence on June 8th, the day before the hearing.
Please join the online event Europe for Poland (in English) on Monday 8 June at 16:00 CET on Facebook or YouTube.
The president of the International Association of Judges has also issued an official statement, representing 92 national associations of judges expressing their deepest concern about these proceedings.
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Amnesty International: Hongaarse rechtspraak ondermijnd
Amnesty International Hongarije heeft op 6 april 2020 een uitvoerig rapport gepubliceerd over de situatie van de rechterlijke macht in Hongarije, onder de titel Fearing the Unknown.
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‘EU Court’s ruling on Polish Disciplinary Chamber has much broader effect’
‘The decision not only clearly prohibits the Polish government to illegally repress judges, by suspending the so-called Disciplinary Chamber, but has a much broader effect – it should close the way for abuse of the arbitrary recognition of the elections validity’, says the president of the Association of Polish Judges Iustitia professor Krystian Markiewicz.
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