Two Polish judges' right to fair hearing was breached - European court

FILE PHOTO: The courtroom of the European Court of Human Rights is seen ahead of the start of a hearing concerning Ukraine's lawsuit against Russia regarding human rights violations in Crimea, at in Strasbourg, France, September 11, 2019. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler/File Photo

WARSAW (Reuters) - Two Polish judges' right to a fair hearing was violated after they had job applications blocked, Europe's top human rights court said on Monday in a ruling that questioned the independence of Poland's judiciary.

The decision was the latest blow to Poland in a dispute with Brussels over the rule of law and judicial reforms which critics say limit the independence of Polish courts. Poland's ruling nationalist Law and Justice party says its judicial reforms are needed to rid the system of the residue of communism.