The Commission is following “closely” and with “concern” the situation of the Polish Ombudsman for Citizens’ Rights, who was dismissed by the Polish Constitutional Tribunal on Thursday 15 April. “A function that must remain independent”, commented the Commission’s spokesperson on justice issues, Christian Wigand.
The Polish Constitutional Tribunal, controlled by the ruling ‘PiS government’, has decided to dismiss Adam Bodnar from his position as Polish Ombudsman for Citizens’ Rights. “This is a sad day for the citizens of Poland, which in practice means that there will no longer be an institution protecting human rights in the country”, reacted the Renew Europe group.
“The dismissal of the Ombudsman Adam Bodnar is unacceptable”, said Dacian Cioloş, president of Renew Europe. “The relentless efforts of Polish authorities to dismantle the Rule of law stone by stone are more evident than ever. The freedom-loving citizens of Poland should know that they can count on our determination to stand in the way of all those who, by their actions or words, undermine the founding principles of our European Union”.
Renew Europe demands that the “European Commission takes immediate action to prevent the government from undermining the Rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in Poland” as the EU Court of Justice has again confirmed, on 15 April, the attacks on the independence of the judiciary (see other news). (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)