by Shelby Vcelka

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

WARSAW, Poland–

The Polish Senate has approved changes to the power of Poland’s highest court, which has sparked mass protests within the country and concerns from the European Union that they could destabilize the rule of law. The bill takes away power from the constitutional court, and only requires the signature of Poland’s President, Andrzej Duda, to become law. Duda is a member of the ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS), which forced the bill through the Senate on an overnight session running from Wednesday to Thursday. The lower house of Parliament had already approved the measures on Tuesday afternoon.

The new law states that the courts must approve all rulings with a two-thirds majority, instead of the usual simple majority, and requires 13 of the court’s 15 judges to be present when highly contentious cases are before the court. Currently, the law only calls for 9 judges to be present. The law also calls for a mandatory waiting period of three to six months between the request for a ruling and a verdict, rather than the current two-week waiting period.

The opposition party has condemned the bill as an attempt by the PiS to interfere with the justice system and the constitutional court’s independence. These paticular changes, they worry, will decrease the number of cases the already overworked constitutional court will be able to hear per year.  Additionally, they claim the PiS are attempting to take control of the court and erase checks on governmental power. Previously, President Duda has stirred the emotions of the opposition party by swearing in four new judges earlier this month.

The European commission vice-president Frans Timmermans wrote to Poland’s foreign and justice ministers this past Wednesday, urging the Polish government to avoid adopting the law or passing it into effect. “All questions about the law’s impact and effects,” the letter stated, should be “fully and properly assessed.” The Polish justice minister, Zbigniew Ziobro, quickly fired back that Timmermans had been “misled” by the opposition party on the intent and focus of the bill. Similarly, the UN high commissioner for human rights has expressed deep concerns for the effects on the rule of law the changes would create.

For more information, please see–

Wall Street Journal– Polish Governing Party Rushes to Reorganize Legislative Court— 22 December 2015

Russian Times– ‘Coup’ against EU? Poland accused of trampling democracy after new law on top court— 23 December 2015

Associated Press– Polish lawmakers pass contested law on constitutional court— 24 December 2015

The Guardian– Poland’s senate votes to curb power of top court— 24 December 2015

 

by Shelby Vcelka

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

MADRID, Spain–

During his annual Christmas Eve speech, King Felipe VI of Spain appealed for open communication and national unity after an indecisive general election during the previous weekend. King Felipe stated his desire that the nation would show “understanding and a fraternal spirit, which are typical of this season, always be present among us.” The elections showcased two new national parties, the anti-auterity Podemos, and the center-right Ciudadanos, which both made substantial gains in Parliament. The addition of these parties effectively ended the dominant two party systems that had been in place for over thirty years.

The elections resulted in a profoundly divided Parliament, with no party enjoying an outright majority, or by great enough margins to allow that party to rule alone. Already, party leaders have begun the process of negotiations to form coalition governments. The process is expected to take several weeks, or even months.

In his address, the King commented, “Political plurality, expressed at the ballot box, without a doubt offers different sensitivities, visions and perspectives; and it involves a way of exercising politics based on dialogue, consensus and commitment. Now, what should matter to all, first and foremost, is Spain and the general interest of the Spanish people.”

The King also appealed to the people for Spain to remain a unified state, as he spoke of “national cohesion.” Recently, the separatist movement in the Spanish state of Catalonia has gained traction, with many people calling for the state to receive recognition as an independent state. “I sincerely believe that we are living today in times where it is more necessary than ever to recognize everything that unites us,” King Felipe said.

When Parliament reconvenes in January, King Felipe will ask the coalition party with the most members to form a government. If, by that time, no coalition party has been determined, the individual parties have two months to hold negotiations. After that time period, if there is still no government, fresh elections will be held.

For more information, please see– 

WSWS.org– Spanish political system in turmoil over hung parliament— 23 December 2015

The Guardian– Spain’s King Felipe calls for country to unite after election uncertainty— 24 December 2015

BBC– Spain elections: King Felipe calls for national unity— 25 December 2015

Euronews–Philip VI’s call for national unity heard loud and clear by Basques & Catalans— 25 December 2015

by Shelby Vcelka

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

STOCKHOLM, Sweden–

On December 1st, Sweden distributed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s manifesto, “We Should All Be Feminists,” to every 16-year-old student in the country. The Swedish Women’s Lobby partnered with other major feminist groups in the country to promote the idea, with the hope that the manifesto would spark national conversations about the importance of feminism. Sweden is already one of the most gender-equal countries in the world, so the initiative went mostly without controversy.

“This is the book that I wish all of my male classmates would have read when I was 16,” Clara Berglund, president of the Swedish Women’s Lobby, commented about the project. “It feels so important to contribute to this project. It is a gift to all second-grade high-school students, but it is also a gift to ourselves and future generations.”

The essay, We Should All Be Feminists, was adapted from Adichie’s TED talk of the same name. In it, she discusses how gender roles and traditional views of femininity and masculinity serve to hurt both men and women. By embracing feminism, she argues, both men and women can benefit and live happier lives. Adichie also discusses how feminism directly addresses the issue of gender inequality, while a gender human rights mission does not.

The initiative was met mostly with praise, with the hope that teachers would incorporate the text into their lesson plans. The Swedish government is also sponsoring discussion guidelines and distributing talking points to teachers to aid in this process. “Gender equality is one of the cornerstones of Swedish society,” Sweden’s official gender equality website says. By teaching teenagers about gender issues and inequality, the goal is to remove the stigma around the idea of feminism in simple language they can understand.

Adichie herself recorded a message to the Swedish teenagers who were receiving her book, saying that she hoped one day they could all live in a world that was “truly just and equal.”

For more information, please see—

Daily News–Sweden to give away copy of ‘We Should All Be Feminists’ to all 16-year-olds in country— 04 December 2015

GOOD Magazine–Every 16-Year-Old in Sweden Will Get a Copy of We Should All Be Feminists— 04 December 2015

The Guardian–Every 16-year-old in Sweden to receive copy of We Should All Be Feminists— 04 December 2015

NPR–Sweden Gives ‘We Should All Be Feminists’ To Every 16-Year-Old Student— 04 December 2015

by Shelby Vcelka

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

MADRID, Spain–

Tens of thousands of protesters rallied in Madrid last Saturday to denounce violence and discrimination against women. The rally, organized by feminist groups, had members of all major political parties, and over 380 regional and 70 state-run feminist organizations in attendance, and had over 21,000 activists in total taking part. The protestors wore purple and black and lay in the streets to commemorate thousands of women abused or murdered by intimate partners and in hate crimes in what they described as “sexist terrorism.”

http://twitter.com/losotrosjudios/status/663078922167304192/photo/1

Activists were primarily concerned with expanding coverage under current domestic violence laws, and receiving more public funding to protect women from abusive partners. They held banners that read, “Stop machista violence!” and chanted, “We aren’t all here, the dead are missing!” Currently, Spain has an emergency hotline available to women that does not show up on their telephone bills, in addition to free legal assistance and accommodations for abused women. Spain is seen as a pioneer in combatting violence against women through progressive legislation and the availability of social programs.

Many of the activists in attendance were survivors of domestic violence themselves. “I think it’s important that people like me demonstrate today, because I’m an example of a woman who’s been able to get out of domestic violence,” Olga Aranza stated. “And that means that all abused women can also get out violence and that they deserve a better life. You really can get out,” she added. Another woman, Angela Gonzales, had a daughter that was murdered by her former husband in 2003.

Most of the men involved with the march felt personally connected with the issue at hand as well. According to attendee Miguel Navarro, “it’s essential that we men also take part in this demonstration so that we send a clear message to women, telling them they are not alone in this struggle.” Likewise, Nacho Molina stated, “in Spain, there is still a need to educate men so that they put an end to machismo (exceedingly masculine violence).”

For more information, please see—

BBC– Violence against women: Madrid stages big protest march— 07 November 2015

Euro Weekly– “Sexist Terrorism” turns Madrid streets Purple— 08 November 2015

RT– Stop ‘machista’ violence: Tens of thousands incl Podemos, FEMEN protest domestic violence in Madrid— 08 November 2015

SBS– ‘Sexist terrorism’: Thousands in Spain march against domestic violence— 08 November 2015

by Shelby Vcelka

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

BERLIN, Germany–

After weeks of debates within the government regarding the recent “overwhelming” influx of refugees, Germany is preparing to expedite the process of deporting asylum seekers. On Thursday, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that an agreement had been reached between the coalition government, allowing for three to five reception centers that would either accept or deport refugee applicants. For weeks, the opposition government has requested the majority party to reduce the number of refugees allowed in Germany, citing struggling local authorities.

The leader of the opposition party, Horst Seehofer of the Christian Social Union, called the agreement “very very good,” and said his relationship with Merkel had been “cemented again.” However, he did not revoke his threat to file a legal complaint against the government over its expansive refugee policy. Other members of the opposition parties have criticized the agreement, stating that the number of refugees entering the country far exceeds the resources available.

Robert Habeck, a critic of the agreement and a member of the Green Party commented, “people are waiting for half a year before their asylum applications can even be submitted. It is a complete mystery as to how the federal government can conclude the process within a few weeks in the special reception centers.”

Other critics within Merkel’s coalition government believe the agreement curtails the rights of refugees, and questioned the legality of detaining asylum seekers and refugees for an indefinite period of time. Initially, Merkel requested that “transit zones” be set up across the country, where new refugees would be detained before their status was determined. The Social Democratic Party, who claimed these zones would be akin to “internment camps”, rejected this.

Up to 10,000 refugees have entered Germany daily since January, totaling around 758,000 migrants. The influx has shown no signs of stopping, with the 800,000 refugee limit set by the German government likely to be exceeded sometime in the near future.

For more information, please see—

Chicago Tribune– Merkel ally says government will survive refugee turmoil— 04 November 2015

Al-Jazeera– Germany to expedite deportations of refugees— 06 November 2015

Irish Times– Germany agrees compromise on refugees after ‘intense’ talks— 06 November 2015

Wall Street Journal– Germany Steps Back Hours after Tighter Asylum Rules Are Unveiled— 06 November 2015