You can download the spring V4 Human Rights Review here.

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!

 

Content

  • National Human Rights Institutions in the V4 countries

Czech republic

  • Children under the age of criminal responsibility and their procedural safeguards in Czech legislation
  • Czech Constitutional Court on conflicts of interest: glancing at EU law?
  • Mental health of judges: independence and normalization

Hungary

  • Hungarian government takes questionable measures to increase its power amidst the fight against the Coronavirus
  • Degrading detention conditions, suspending compensation: the “sense of justice of society” in illiberalism
  • Discriminatory discourse in Hungary: the aftermath of the Gyöngyöspata case

Poland

  • Flawed procedure of appointment of judges – unlawful proceedings?
  • Repression towards judges as a means of controlling the judiciary in Poland
  • Presidential elections in Poland: Does history like to repeat itself?

Slovakia

  • Slovakia in the time of pandemic
  • Istanbul Convention: a wolf in sheep’s clothing or yet another witch-hunt?
  • Compensation of victims of violent crimes in Slovakia:

    future challenges and contemporary problem solving