Op maandag 9 maart 2020 zat Katrien Witteman, rechter in de rechtbank Limburg, op de publieke tribune bij het Hof van Justitie van de Europese Unie in Luxemburg. Zij woonde met een aantal andere rechters uit Polen, België, Noorwegen, Turkije en Nederland de ‘interim measures’-procedure bij die door de Europese Commissie was aangespannen tegen de Republiek Polen in het kader van de inbreukprocedure C-791/19.
The presidents of the judicial organizations in the European Union kindly request a personal meeting with president Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission. They underscore that ‘any strategy which considers judicial independence a bargaining chip is completely mistaken’.
Continue reading Judicial organizations: Polish situation ‘Chefsache’
Het Hof van Justitie van de Europese Unie had ernstige twijfels bij de onafhankelijkheid en onpartijdigheid van de Disciplinaire Kamer van het Poolse Hooggerechtshof, maar liet het eindoordeel daarover aan het Poolse Hooggerechtshof zelf. Op 5 december heeft dat Hof uitgesproken dat de Kamer geen geldig gerecht is onder Europees en Pools recht.
Paul Meijknecht
Continue reading Pools Hooggerechtshof: Disciplinaire Kamer geen geldig gerecht
The European Commission has sent a letter to the Platform for an Independent Judiciary in Turkey, regarding the conviction of judge Murat Arslan and the general situation in Turkey. Judges for Judges cites and posts this response on its website.
Continue reading European Commission on Murat Arslan and Turkey
For the third time in five years, a survey was conducted among 11,335 judges from 25 countries in Europe. Judges for Judges highlights the main findings in the extensive report.
Niek van de Pasch
Continue reading Thousands of European judges appraise their independence
The European Commission has adopted a Communication titled ‘Further strengthening the Rule of Law within the European Union’. In this 17 July 2019 document, the Commission sets out concrete initiatives grouped around three pillars: promoting a common rule of law culture; preventing rule of law problems; and responding effectively to breaches of the rule of law. Protection by and of the judiciary is paramount in this resolute vision of the way forward.
Niek van de Pasch
Continue reading European Commission aims to strengthen rule of law