Biuletyn Informacji Publicznej RPO

- I would like to thank the Commissioner for Human Rights for organizing today's seminar. It is extremely important for me to be able to talk with practitioners, who are close to the problems of the Polish justice system - said Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Nils Muižnieks starting the seminar “Administration of justice in Poland – reflections on report by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights”, held the Office of the CHR.

Dr. Bodnar pointed out that the recently submitted report requires detailed discussion. He also drew attention to the problems arising from the still ongoing crisis over the Constitutional Tribunal. In his opinion the present legal uncertainty is a big threat to constitutional rights and freedoms

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights on 15th July 2016 published a report on Polish judiciary. The Commissioner in his report expressed concern inter alia on:

• expanding the powers of law enforcement agencies, police forces and security services without establishing the necessary safeguards to avoid abuse as well as lack of  a democratic, independent and efficient system of control of surveillance activities;
• new amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure and to the Law on Prosecution and provisions on the use of illegally obtained evidence;
• threats for human rights connected with recent public prosecution reform;
• Ministry of Justice supervision over courts in the light of judges’ independence.

The seminar was a joint initiative of the Commissioner for Human Rights dr. Adam Bodnar and the Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe Nils Muižnieks.