On 14 January 2026 we commemorated the 6th anniversary of the 1000 Robes March in a special event at the European Parliament in Brussels.
Polish Members of the European Parliament (Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz and Michał Wawrykiewicz) organized a screening of the film “Thousand Robes” (by K. Lisowski and I. Harris). The following panel discussion, moderated by Vice President Dorota Zabłudowska, focused on the story of the march and the future challenges in Poland and Europe.
High-ranking representatives discussed the topic on the podium: Polish Minister of Justice Waldemar Żurek, EAJ President Sabine Matejka, Honorary President of the IAJ José Igreja Matos, President of IUSTITIA Bartłomiej Przymusiński, Vice President of IUSTITIA Urszula Żółtak, former President Krystian Markiewicz and MEP Michał Wawrykiewicz.
The event gathered a significant audience. IAJ President Walter Barone, Honorary President Duro Sessa,Vice Presidents Roland Kempfle and Mohamed Redouane and former EAJ President Mikael Sjoberg attended the meeting, as well as members of other judicial organisations, such as President of MEDEL Mariarosaria Guglielmi and President of the Foundation Judges for Judges Tamara Trotman, representatives of CCBE and judges from all over Europe. Many of these judges participated in the March in 2020. They came together again to recall the importance of judicial independence for citizen’s rights.
On 9 January 2026 the UN Special Rapporteur also issued an official statement on the International Day of Judicial Independence – 1000 Robes March.
The IAJ will continue its efforts to promote an International Day of Judicial Independence. It is a reminder that every citizen has a right to judicial protection and an independent court. Judicial independence is the heart of the rule of law and indispensable in any democracy.
