CCJE-BU(2018)3

Strasbourg, 27 March 2018                                                         

CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN Judges

(CCJE)

Statement of the CCJE Bureau

The Bureau of CCJE has noted with dismay that Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly of the Irish High Court has been the subject of sustained offensive attacks by sections of the Polish media in the aftermath of a decision taken by her in the context of a European Arrest Warrant case, to refer certain questions to the Court of Justice of European Union. The decision was taken against background of issues that were raised in the course of the hearing before her in relation to recent changes affecting the Polish judiciary.

Judicial decisions are of course always subject to criticism but there can be no justification for personalised attacks on the judges making the decision.

The CCJE takes note of and supports the statements issued by European Association of Judges, Association of Judges of Ireland, Iustitia, the Association of Polish Judges, and the Association «Magistrats européens pour la démocratie et les libertés» (MEDEL).