Navigating a million obstacles: A woman magistrate's commitment to integrity and disability inclusion in the judiciary 

People with disabilities often face significant barriers in society, and the judiciary is no exception. From navigating physical spaces that lack accessible infrastructure to confronting biases about their capabilities, individuals with disabilities encounter many challenges.  

Inclusivity is deeply intertwined with judicial integrity, as a transparent and ethical judiciary must reflect the diversity of the society it serves. When the judiciary is inclusive, it affirms the principle that all individuals - regardless of physical abilities - are entitled to equal opportunities and fair treatment within the legal system.  

Should 11 January be designated as International Day of Judicial Independence?

On 27 March 2023, the International Association of Judges (IAJ) has proposed that the United Nations proclaim 11 January as "International Day of Judicial Independence - 1000 Robes March" to mark the brave and peaceful call of judges for an independent judiciary which all citizens of the world are entitled to. Through that initiative the IAJ underlined that, since 2015, the rule of law in Poland, like in recent years in many parts of the world, has been progressively undermined by other State powers. Successive governments have, under the guise of "reforms", introduced a number of amendments concerning the Polish judicial system in order to exert control over it in a way that facilitate the implementation of its policy agenda.