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Europe must rediscover its pride in its democratic model. Our fervent wish must be that this model of democracy, freedom and prosperity serves as a beacon and inspiration not only for our fellow citizens in Europe, but also beyond our borders.
Looking ambitiously to the future of Europe, reminding everyone the commitment to unnegotiable values and responsibilities towards the international community and future generations for effective protection of fundamental rights: President David Sassoli left us with this strong message, delivered at the European Council meeting of 16 December 2021.
MEDEL, EAJ, IAJ, EAAJ and Judges for Judges sent today a letter to the new Minister of Justice of Germany, emphasizing the urgent need to evacuate justice personnel from Afghanistan.
Your Excellency, the four European Associations of Judges undersigned are specifically concerned about the precarious situation - with specific risk of death - of judges, prosecutors, lawyers and human rights activists in Afghanistan.
This extraordinary situation in Afghanistan induced all four European associations of judges
In the moment when France is about to take the presidency of the European Union, MEDEL recalls the historical responsibility of France in defending the rule of law, and the unique opportunity to use the political crisis we are going through to promote a democratic transformation of the European Union. You can read the statement below:
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France is about to take the presidency of the European Union while it is facing one of the most important crises in its history. Taking advantage of the insufficient democratization of the European institutions, several Member States are now conducting a real offensive against the humanist foundations of the European project. In Poland, Hungary, but also in Bulgaria or Slovenia, governments turn authoritarian. While they claim to fight against the so-called “diktats” of Brussels, they are directly undermining the rule of law and one of its main pillars: the independence of justice.
The members of Magistrats Européens pour la Démocratie et les Libertés (MEDEL) express their full solidarity with their Lebanese colleague Tarek Bitar and will follow with vigilance the evolution of the situation of the Lebanese Justice, in struggle with the political power. You can read the statement below:
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In Lebanon, the independence of justice is threatened
(Presented by the Syndicat de la Magistrature - France)
On August 4, 2020, a double explosion occurred in the port of Beirut, killing more than 200 people and injuring more than 6,500 others, while devastating entire neighbourhoods of the Lebanese capital. For years, this country, at the crossroads of all cultures and in the heart of an unstable geopolitical zone, has been aspiring to peace and full democracy.
MEDEL calls on the authorities of Montenegro to repeal the Amendments to the Montenegrin Law on Pension and Disability Insurance, that discriminate against female judges and do not reflect European values.
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DÉCLARATION DE MEDEL SUR LE MONTÉNÉGRO
MEDEL appelle les autorités du Monténégro à abroger les amendements à la loi monténégrine sur l'assurance retraite et invalidité, qui sont discriminatoires envers les femmes juges et ne reflètent pas les valeurs européennes.
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You can read the statement below:
MEDEL has received concerning news that Montenegrin authorities adopted Amendments to the Law on Pension and Disability Insurance, which significantly lowered the pension age for judges, as opposed to the appropriate provisions of the Montenegrin Labor Law. Aside from that, the said Amendments stipulate lower retirement age for female judges, meaning that different retirement ages depending on gender have been introduced.
MEDEL is holding today its Council of Administration in Coimbra, Portugal.
Debating the situation of the judiciary in our member associations' countries and approving statements on Lebanon, France and Montenegro.
Together in the defense of Rule of Law.
Next Thursday 09 December (from 15:30 CET) and Friday 10 December (from 10:30 CET), watch the live streaming (in English) of the international conference "Rule of Law in Europe", organised by MEDEL, ASJP and SMMP, in cooperation with Catolica Lisbon School of Law on our website below:
Mariarosaria Guglielmi and Iria González are representing MEDEL at the 16th plenary meeting of the Consultative Council of European Prosecutors, from the Council of Europe. An opinion on implications of the decisions of international courts and treaty bodies as regards the practical independence of prosecutors is on the agenda.
MEDEL is today taking part at the Eight Expert Forum on Criminal Justice for Central Asia, organised by OSCE/ODIHR.
Filipe Marques will take the floor at the panel on "Institutional Issues in Criminal Justice Systems".
Another meeting with members of the judiciary in Romania. The President of MEDEL met Dragoș Călin, President of Forum Judecatorilor din Romania, for an exchange on recent developments on the protection of the independence of the Judiciary.
An important meeting to hear all the relevant actors in the field and try to find ways to contribute to stable solutions for the Romanian Judiciary.
