WARSAW, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) special envoy Diego Garcia-Sayan said here on Friday that judicial independence is endangered in Poland now, urging the country's political establishment to open up negotiations on proposals to reform courts.
During a press conference, Garcia-Sayan said the proposed changes to the judicial system, prepared by the government and the ruling majority, undermine "the role, independence and the principle of separation of powers."
He said that "the first victim of these changes" is the Constitutional Court, of which independence and legitimacy are weakened by the proposals.
The special envoy has been staying in Poland since Monday. He came here on the invitation of Polish government, sent last year.
Witold Waszczykowski, Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the reforms haven't been implemented yet, adding, "We have explained all of the improprieties and doubts; we answered every letter received."
Rafal Bochenek, spokesman of the Polish government, said that Garcia-Sayan's speech is not based on facts and is "unfair for Poland", adding that the reforms are still being discussed and haven't become officially a part of the law yet.
Polish government has been preparing judicial reforms for several months. They caused many controversies among Polish citizens and among foreign institutions as well. The reforms include changes in the electoral system of the members of National Council of the Judiciary and Supreme Court judges' retirement.
