We are delivering the summer issue of the online journal V4 Human Rights Review, which provides information on the developments in the areas of human rights and democracy in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.

We start with a contribution by Veronika Haász concerning the role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in the V4 countries. The author explains the competences and importance of NHRIs as independent guardians and promoters of human rights. Furthermore, she discusses the current situation in all four countries with regard to the existence, work and impact of these institutions.

In the Czech section, Eliška Hronová focuses on procedural safeguards of children under the age of criminal responsibility. Are the rights of children under 15 years of age sufficiently safeguarded?

In the Hungarian section, Veronika Czina explains the widely discussed measures that the Hungarian government adopted to increase its powers amidst the fight against the coronavirus. To what extent are democratic values and the rule of law endangered?

In the Polish section, Artur Pietruszka reflects on the question of independence of the new Disciplinary Chamber for judges. Based on the ruling of the Court of Justice of the EU, the Polish Supreme Court examined this issue. How did the Constitutional Tribunal respond?

In the Slovak section, Erik Láštic discusses the results of parliamentary elections and how the new government led by an anti-corruption movement had to deal immediately with the pandemic. 

We hope you enjoy this issue!