Polen

Poland: letters to the European Commission

Judges for Judges took notice with great concern of the recent developments in Poland regarding the upcoming hearings by the Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court.

Together with three European Associations of Judges and Prosecutors we have sent a letter to the President of the European Commission, calling upon the European Commission to (i) urgently request the Court of Justice of the European Union for a penalty payment,  (ii) start new infringement procedures and (iii) address the prosecuting authority urging it to abandon immediately the disciplinary proceedings.

Moreover, we publicly support the open letter ‘Before it’s too late‘, published by 37 prominent worldwide academics in the field of International and Comparative Law.

 

Polen

‘Er ontstaat iets als Europees bewustzijn onder rechters in de lidstaten’

Raadsheer en hoogleraar Marc de Werd geeft een update over de situatie in Polen, aan de hand van drie recente rechtszaken: (i) over de vrijheid van meningsuiting van rechters bij het Europees Hof voor de Rechten van de Mens, (ii) over de bedreigingen van de Poolse rechterlijke macht bij het Hof van Justitie van de Europese Unie en (iii) over een Nederlands overleveringsverzoek aan een Poolse rechtbank.

Continue reading ‘Er ontstaat iets als Europees bewustzijn onder rechters in de lidstaten’ →

Sri Lanka

Deep concerns about bill on judiciary in Sri Lanka

Judges for Judges and four Commonwealth Associations (of Magistrates and Judges, Lawyers, Legal Education and Journalists) are deeply concerned about proposed amendments to the Constitution of Sri Lanka. These would in effect relegate the Judiciary to a position inferior to that of the Executive and Legislature.

In this joint statement the five organizations call upon the government and parliament of Sri Lanka to ensure that any constitutional changes are consistent with the Commonwealth fundamental values and international standards relating on the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers.

Turkije

Reports on torture and ill-treatment in Turkey

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.

Turkije

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.

Continue reading Turkey – four years of dismantlement of the rule of law →

Malawi

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.

 

Malawi

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.

Malawi

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.