Article 47 - Right to an effective remedy and to a fair trial
Article 52 - Scope and interpretation
Key facts of the case:
Internal Security Agency applied to voivodeship governor to withdraw the L.S.’s long-term residence permission. The voivodeship governor withrew the permission and the Chief of Foreigners’ Officer upheld the decision. Decision was based on information (provided by the Internal Security Agency) classified due to security reasons. One of the argument brought by the applicant was incorrect implementation of directive 2003/109/EC concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents. The Regional Administrative Court dissmissed the appeal.
Key legal question raised by the Court:
Does limitation of access to materials in administrative proceedings concerning withdrawal of residence permission?
Outcome of the case:
The complaint of L.S. was dismmised by the Supreme Administrative Court. The Court found that Article 47 CFR does not exclude limitation of access to case files that were basis of decision concerning .
In the opinion of the Supreme Administrative Court, limiting the possibility of getting access to the evidence does not automatically mean that the right to an effective remedy has been violated and therefore there is no reason to assume that there has been a violation of Art. 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. According to art. 52.1 CFR, all restrictions on the exercise of rights and freedoms recognized in the Charter must be provided for in the law and respect the essence of these rights and freedoms.
Zdaniem Naczelnego Sądu Administracyjnego, ograniczenie możliwości zapoznania się z materiałem dowodowym nie oznacza automatycznie, że naruszone zostało prawo skorzystania ze skutecznego środka odwoławczego i w związku z tym brak jest podstaw do przyjęcia, że doszło do naruszenia art. 47 Karty Praw Podstawowych Unii Europejskiej. Zgodnie z art. 52 ust. 1 KPP wszelkie ograniczenia w korzystaniu z praw i wolności uznanych w Karcie muszą być przewidziane w ustawie i szanować istotę tych praw i wolności.
