Poland - Country monitoring - Commissioner for Human Rights

Statement

Commissioner urges Poland’s Parliament to reject bill which restricts access to abortion care

23/03/2018 Strasbourg

"I am deeply concerned to learn that this week the Polish Sejm pursued the examination of a bill called “Stop Abortion”, prepared by a group of citizens", said Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. "Poland has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe,...

Letter

Commissioner concerned about human rights backsliding in Poland

06/02/2018 Strasbourg

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister of Poland, Mr Mateusz Morawiecki, published today, the Commissioner raises concerns over recent developments affecting the independence of the judiciary; women’s access to sexual and reproductive rights; the deteriorating environment for NGOs active in...

Keynote speech at the First Congress on Human Rights in Warsaw

Keynote speech by Nils Muižnieks Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe at the First Congress on Human Rights on 8-9 December 2017 organised by the Polish Ombudsman in Warsaw, Poland. CommDH/Speech(2017)8

Poland has a duty to preserve judicial independence

OpenDemocracy, 17/07/2017 Twenty years ago, the adoption of a new Constitution by Poland’s National Assembly marked a defining moment in the country’s history. After almost five decades of one-party rule, the Polish people gave expression to their aspiration for freedom and democracy through a...

Letter

Commissioner concerned about law undermining the independence of the judiciary in Poland

03/04/2017 Strasbourg

In a letter addressed to the Speaker of Sejm of Poland published today, the Commissioner calls on the Polish Parliament to reject the amendments to the Act on the National Council for the Judiciary because they would encroach upon the independence of the judiciary. By giving Parliament the...

Statement

European human rights officials voice serious concerns over changes to Polish laws on freedom of assembly

05/12/2016 Strasbourg

European human rights officials today expressed serious concern over legal amendments passed last week in the Polish Sejm that could undermine the right to freedom of assembly if they become law. Urging the Polish parliament to reconsider amendments to the law governing public assemblies, Michael...

Statement

Poland: Commissioner concerned about bill on the Constitutional Tribunal

08/07/2016 Strasbourg

“I am very concerned at the adoption by the Polish Sejm of a bill on the Constitutional Tribunal yesterday because it poses a serious threat to the rule of law. In my recent report on Poland, I expressed concern at the current paralysis of the Constitutional Tribunal because of its negative...

Visit report

Erosion of rule of law threatens human rights protection in Poland

15/06/2016 Warsaw

“Recent far-reaching changes to Poland’s legal and institutional framework threaten human rights and undermine the rule of law, on which the protection of human rights ultimately depends. Lawmakers and the Government should urgently change course”, said today Nils Muižnieks, the Council of Europe...

Visit to Poland

Poland: slow down and consult on legislation to avoid human-rights backsliding

12/02/2016 Warsaw

"Human rights compliant legislation requires time and thorough consultation” said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks, at the end of a four-day visit to Poland reviewing the effectiveness of the country's framework for the protection of human rights, the...

Statement

Call on Polish President not to sign new Media Law

05/01/2016 Strasbourg

I call on the President of the Republic of Poland not to sign the law on Public Service Media governance and to uphold the independence of Poland’s public service television and radio. The law worryingly places public service media under direct government control by giving the latter the powers...