Position statement of the Helsinki Committee

There are no human rights without independent courts. The law disciplining judges aims to limit the independence of the courts, whereas Article 173 of the Constitution stipulates that the courts “shall be a separate authority, independent from other branches of government”.

No human rights will be upheld, and no minority will be protected without independent judges. Without judges who do not fear of being formally disciplined for a passed judgment, an examined piece of material evidence, a question referred for a preliminary ruling, a decision on a recusal motion or their interpretation of law.

Human rights stand against the arbitrariness of those in power. When judges may themselves experience this arbitrariness, human rights are no longer safeguarded.

The Helsinki Committee in Poland vigorously protests against this situation.

Warsaw, 5 February 2020

Members of the Helsinki Committee in Poland: Halina Bortnowska-Dąbrowska, Teresa Bogucka, Janusz Grzelak, Jacek Kurczewski, Ewa Łętowska, Wojciech Maziarski, Danuta Przywara, Andrzej Rzepliński, Mirosław Wyrzykowski.