On Friday, 22 July 2005, The Polish Senate refused to give its consent for the nomination of Prof. Andrzej Rzepliñski for the post of Ombudsman. This means that the former Ombudsman – Prof. Andrzej Zoll – will continue to serve this function until the new Parliament, which will be chosen during the October elections, makes the decision to appoint a new Ombudsman.

The nomination of Prof. Andrzej Rzepliñski was twice submitted to the Polish Sejm by the Civic Platform (Platforma Obywatelska). During the second vote of July 8th, the Polish Sejm accepted the professor’s nomination, despite the lack of support from right-wing parties. In the Senate, which according to the Constitution approves the Sejm’s decisions, he did not receive backing from left-wing senators.

Prof. Andrzej Rzepliñski is an expert for, among others, the United Nations, the Council of Europe and OSCE. He provides advice for the President of the Institute of National Remembrance and the Chief of Police. He co-founded the Helsinki Committee in Poland. He is also the Secretary of the Board of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights.

In Poland, the Ombudsman is selected by the Sejm with the consent of the Senate for a term of 5 years. The Polish Constitution states that the Ombudsman protects the liberties and rights of humans and citizens. The Ombudsman may, among others, demand explanations from institutions responsible for decision-making, join proceedings held before a court, as well as appeal to the Constitutional Tribunal against regulations that he believes contradict the Constitution.