December 26, 2019: Statement on Recently Passed Polish Legislation that Threatens to Punish Judges for Speaking Out
12.26.2019
New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) President Hank Greenberg released the following statement regarding legislation, recently passed by Poland’s lower house of parliament, that would punish judges who speak out on judicial independence. The legislation sparked mass protests in 160 places throughout Poland and drew sharp criticism from the European Commission and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, among numerous others.
“An independent judiciary is a prerequisite for democracy and a bulwark against tyranny. The legislation passed in Poland undermines the independence of the judiciary and poses a grave threat to the rule of law. It behooves the legal profession to stand as one against this outrage.”
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The New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. Since 1876, NYSBA has helped shape the development of law, educated and informed the legal profession and the public, and championed the rights of New Yorkers through advocacy and guidance in our communities.
Contact: Susan DeSantis
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