On the occasion of the reference for a preliminary ruling drafted by the Irish High Court, questioning recognition of a EAW issued by Poland because of the fundamental rights situation in the country, the Council of Bars and Law Societies in Europe (CCBE) and the Federation of European Bars (FBE) issued a joint statement on the rule of law and the principle of mutual recognition.

The statement emphasizes the rule of law as an important European value, which requires an independent judiciary that is free from undue political interference and guaranteed access to justice and fair trial procedures. Threats to the rule of law can have real implications on mutual trust – the cornerstone of judicial cooperation within the EU that is based on the principle of mutual recognition of judicial decisions.

The CCBE and FBE urge the Polish government to uphold the elements of the rule of law described above. Otherwise, confidence and trust become lost, and the EU’s cooperation scheme will no longer function.