| Date: | 28. November 2019 |
| Start time: | 11:00 |
Seminar by Katarzyna Wisniewska, expert of the Polish Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, on the situation in the Polish legal landscape and the opportunities for standing for human rights through strategic litigation.
In Poland, the independence of the judiciary has been under severe attack in recent years. For example, in June this year the Court of Justice of the EU ruled that Polish law lowering the retirement age of judges is unjustified and undermines the independence of judges. Critics say the purpose of such a move was merely to get rid of judges who are not comfortable with the political power. The country still faces a number of issues before the Court of Justice of the EU concerning judicial reforms initiated by the government. The European Commission has also launched infringement proceedings against Poland for “systemic threats to the rule of law” under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union, including for Poland’s wish for judicial disciplinary proceedings to be decided by judges appointed by the Parliament.
This is the environment in which the Polish Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights stands for human rights. Their legal programme has three strands: strategic litigation, provision of legal assistance in cases involving individual rights and freedoms, and monitoring of the legal system. On November 28, Katarzyna Wisniewska, the expert of strategic litigation in the Foundation, will visit the Estonian Human Rights Centre to provide an overview of the situation.
Agenda of the seminar:
10.30-11.00 Gathering and coffee
11.00 Welcoming words
Kelly Grossthal, Estonian Human Rights Centre, strategic litigation expert
11.00 Presentation by Katarzyna Wiśniewska
13.00-14.00 Joint lunch and discussion
The event is by invitation only, if you are interested, please contact: kelly.grossthal@humanrights.ee
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