Czech President Petr Pavel cautioned against actions that erode public confidence in democratic institutions, particularly the judiciary. He stated that pre-emptively labeling courts as biased, politicized, or activist is detrimental to both public perception and faith in the rule of law. Pavel delivered these remarks at a conference marking the release of the European Commission’s 2025 Rule of Law Report. The event was hosted by organizations including the Network for the Protection of Democracy, Transparency International, and Glopolis. He stressed the importance of maintaining trust in legal processes for a healthy democracy. The President's statement emphasized respect for judicial independence as a cornerstone of a functioning legal system. Undermining this independence, he warned, has far-reaching consequences.