AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
QUOTE
EU: Poland must see consequences of crackdown
16 May 2017
Reacting to the news that European affairs ministers from the EU Member States failed to take firm action on the rule of law roll back in Poland at the General Affairs Council, Iverna McGowan, Director of Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office said:
“European ministers’ response to the Polish government’s attacks on fundamental rights was inadequate, given the gravity of the situation. While it is a relief to finally see member states challenging a member of their own club on its deteriorating rights record, they nonetheless fundamentally failed to back up their words with any action.”
“Instead they passed the buck right back to the European Commission to ‘continue dialogue’. This does nothing to show countries who trample over the EU’s founding principles that their actions will have consequences.”
Amnesty International urges the Council to revisit this issue as soon as possible and to prepare Council conclusions including the activation of Article 7 TEU. The Council should formally condemn the attacks on the judiciary, civil society, women and vulnerable groups in particular asylum seekers and migrants.
For more information contact Amnesty International press office in Brussels on [email protected] +32 2 548 27 73 or +32 483 680 812