Former Polish ambassadors call on Trump to stress rule of law during visit

Dozens of former Polish ambassadors have written an open letter to President Trump asking him to emphasize the rule of law during his upcoming visit to the country. 

The former ambassadors warned in their letter published Monday on the website of the Conference of Ambassadors of the Republic of Poland that the European nation’s democracy is in jeopardy. 

{mosads}”You are coming to a country where the rule of law is no longer respected,” the former diplomats wrote.

“Your powerful voice calling for tolerance and mutual respect, as well as compliance with the provisions of the Constitution and other laws, may have historical significance,” the 23 former officials continued.”Poles, hungry for freedom, will listen to you.”

Trump is slated to arrive in Poland on Saturday for events marking the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s 1939 invasion of Poland, which launched World War II. 

The president’s visit comes after revelations that Poland’s justice ministry backed a hate campaign against judges who have been critical of the country’s government, according to The Associated Press. The wire service also noted that Poland’s ruling party and the Catholic Church have also been presenting gay and lesbian people as a threat to society. 

The country has a parliamentary election on Oct. 13. 

“The division of powers is being dismantled and the independent judiciary is being destroyed. Human rights are curtailed, and the growing repression of political opponents and various minorities, be they ethnic, religious or sexual, is not only tolerated by the government, but even inspired by it,” the former ambassadors wrote to Trump. 

The country’s ruling party has denied that it has gone against democracy and has stressed that it was elected and is popular, according to the AP.