Senior Czech justice officials denounce Polish judicial reforms

Top Czech judges have denounced judicial reforms in neighbouring Poland as an attack on the rule of law. In a statement published on Friday, the Czech constitutional and supreme courts, supreme state attorney and Ombudswoman said that they could not remain silent in the face of steps that undermined the values of European civilization, humanism and fundamental rights and freedoms. Polish lawmakers have approved a bill from the governing Law and Justice party under which all current judges will be forced into retirement and the president given powers to choose which ones to reinstate.

Author: Ian Willoughby