´The formation of the “State of National Solidarity” Commission by the Polish Sejm, with the votes of the ruling coalition, is a sign of disrespect for the adopted standards and parliamentary procedures. Avoidance of substantial discussions within the confines of permanent, specialized commissions jeopardizes the quality of the instituted law and seems to testify to a disrespect for knowledge and reason.´ states the Helsinki Committee in Poland. (14-MAR-07)

                                                        
                                                              STATEMENT


The formation of the “State of National Solidarity” Commission by the Polish Sejm, with the votes of the ruling coalition, is a sign of disrespect for the adopted standards and parliamentary procedures. Avoidance of substantial discussions within the confines of permanent, specialized commissions jeopardizes the quality of the instituted law and seems to testify to a disrespect for knowledge and reason. This is first and foremost evidence of the extreme instrumentalization of legislative procedures in the name of the interests of the ruling parties. The first publicly important example of this is the draft Act on the Education System, which inter alia limits access to textbooks for dozens of years to come. The project is being considered by the Sejm with disregard for the relevant commissions and field consultations. We object to such practices. The existence of the “State of National Solidarity” Commission and the first effects of its work call to mind the period of the infamous Silent Sejm.    

Warsaw, 13 March 2007

 

The Members of the Helsinki Committee in Poland:

Teresa Bogucka, Halina Bortnowska-D¹browska, Janusz Grzelak, Zbigniew Ho³da, Jacek Kurczewski, Wojciech Maziarski, Micha³ Nawrocki, Marek Antoni Nowicki, Danuta Przywara, Andrzej Rzepliñski, Marek Safjan, Stefan Starczewski


        
Singed and confirmed by


Marek Antoni Nowicki