Report reveals judges punished under Poland's controversial law

According to a report released by an independent association of Polish judges, 34 judges critical of judicial reforms introduced by Poland’s right-wing government were subject to “harsh reprisals”.
Poland’s deputy justice minister Michal Wojcik rejected the allegations as an “unprecedented attack” by a “very politically engaged group” against the legislative branches of government. He also said that judges “want to be a completely extraordinary caste that stands above others”.
The new controversial law allows judges to be fired if they question the government’s judicial reforms. The report alleges “harsh reprisals” against 34 justices who object to the judicial reforms of the country’s ruling Law and Justice party. It was presented by judge Krystian Markiewicz, head of the Iustitia association that groups 3,500 Polish judges.
Earlier, Poland’s Supreme Court warned that the rules are forcing judges to apply the regulations even if they are “incompatible with higher legal norms”, and that the country might be forced to exit the EU.
Law and Justice said the changes were designed to tackle corruption in the judicial system, but the EU accused it of politicizing the judiciary. The party has been known for its EU skepticism.
“As judges, we stand guard over the civil rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution”, the judges say in the report, adding that “we do not and will not agree to politicize the courts”.