Poland: European Commission makes unprecedented move

The Polish government is finally seeing the consequences of their reckless drive to destroy freedoms in the country.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL  

QUOTE

20 December 2017

Poland: European Commission makes unprecedented move

Today, the European Commission has taken the unprecedented step of triggering Art. 7.1 of the EU Treaty against Poland, which will force EU governments to respond to the Polish government’s attacks on human rights and the rule of law.

Reacting to this news, Iverna McGowan Director of Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office said:

“The Polish government is finally seeing the consequences of their reckless drive to destroy freedoms in the country. The European Commission’s historic decision to trigger Article 7.1 sends a clear message to the Polish authorities – trampling on people’s rights will not be tolerated.”

 “While Amnesty International welcomes the move, it is regrettable that the Commission’s decision seems to refer only to issues relating to the rule of law rather than the broad range of human rights at risk in Poland, including the right to protest, the right to asylum and women’s sexual and reproductive rights. ”

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Amnesty International press office on [email protected] +32 2 548 27 73 or +32 483 680 812

Background

Following the European Commission’s decision to trigger Article 7.1 of the Treaty of the European Union, European Member States are now required to decide if they want to follow the European Commission’s unprecedented proposal.