NI judges express ‘grave concern’ over treatment of Polish judiciary
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Following the introduction of a widely condemned law in Poland that lowers the retirement age of senior judges to 65, the Judges’ Council of Northern Ireland, a non-political body which represents independent judges in Northern Ireland, has expressed its shared grave concerns about the reported situation.
President of the Supreme Court Malgorzata Gersdorf, who defied the law yesterday by turning up for work, told Polish news agency Pap: “My situation is defined by the constitution … and that cannot be changed.”
The council’s statement follows that of the Executive Board of the European Network of Councils for the Judiciary (ENCJ), which this week offered its “wholehearted support” for Polish judges.
The ENCJ said: “The forced early retirement of 27 judges of the Supreme Court, including the President Ms Gersdorf, is a further attempt to bring the judiciary under control of the government.
“It is imperative that judicial independence is respected by governments. A democratic system based on the rule of law can only properly function if judges’ independence is safeguarded.
“Furthermore, judicial independence is critically important in maintaining and enhancing mutual trust between judicial authorities in the EU. Judicial independence also plays a central and indispensable role in ensuring respect for EU law.
“Judges must speak out if judicial independence and the rule of law are threatened. The board of the ENCJ supports the judges of Poland who are fulfilling this duty.”
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