Divisions deepen in EU over rule of law breaches
Jerome Hughes
Press TV, Brussels
Divisions deepen within the European Union over claims that several of the bloc's nations continue to flout the rule of law. Poland and Hungary have been singled out for particular criticism in the European Commission's annual rule of law report.
Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and the EU's executive arm, the European Commission, are on a collision course. The commission is demanding that Warsaw adheres to a recent EU Court of Justice ruling that Poland's disciplinary procedure for judges violates EU law.
The commission has just published its 2021 EU rule of law report. It highlights concerns surrounding justice systems and corruption. The commission says it's examining allegations that EU member Hungary has used spyware to hack into the phones of those criticizing Viktor Orban's government.
Other EU countries criticized in the rule of law report include Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovenia. Recently, Slovenian Prime Minister, Janez Jansa, participated in the annual conference of the MKO terrorist organization, sometimes referred to as the MEK. The terrorist group wants to oust the democratically elected government in Iran. Via Skype, former Portuguese MEP Ana Gomes told Press TV the group is mainly funded by Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Critics say the EU is quick to apply sanctions on foreign nations over alleged rule of law breaches but is very slow to take action when some of its own 27 member states flout basic standards.
The commission's annual rule of law report repeatedly highlights the importance of media freedom. It's ironic because the EU's closest ally, the United States, continues to block .com media outlets operated from Iran, including presstv.com. However, people can still log on using presstv.ir.
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