US State Department criticizes judiciary overhaul

“The Polish government has continued to pursue legislation that appears to undermine judicial independence and weaken the rule of law in Poland,” US State Department said in a statement. “We urge all sides to ensure that any judicial reform does not violate Poland’s constitution or international legal obligations and respects the principles of judicial independence and separation of powers,” it added. Poland’s ministry of foreign affairs called that statement “surprising.” “The fact that the legislative process is still underway makes any such pronouncements premature. The judicial reform bill in question will not affect the independence of courts or judges and seeks only to regain the citizens’ respect for the judiciary. Reforms proposed in Poland are in the spirit of judicial systems in other European countries,” it said. The State Department joined other nations and international bodies warning Polish government that its judiciary overhaul is violating its independence. According to the media, the Weimar triangle meeting has been canceled, as French and German leaders do not want to legitimize the Polish government. Judiciary bodies from Slovakia and Czechia, two member nations of the Visegrad four, has criticized the reforms, calling their respective governments to consider leaving the CEE group.