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Poland’s “constitutional crisis” raises human rights concerns at UN
The United Nations Human Rights Committee has expressed concern about Poland’s current situation leading to human rights problems related to the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, rights of minorities, gender and sexual reproductive rights, as well as media rights.
Poland reviewed at UN
The United Nations Human Rights Committee reviewed the human rights situation of Polandon 17–18 October. HRHF’s Polish partners, the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (HFHR) delivered a statement on Poland during the opening of the session.
Polish women have gone on strike in protest of anti-abortion law
On Monday 3 October, in many Polish cities, women and men protested against a draft law that would introduce a complete ban on abortion. Protesters, dressed in black, have united under the slogan “Black protest” and the hashtag #czarnyprotest (meaning black protest). Our colleagues at the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights(HFHR), based in Warsaw, reported on the situation.
MEPs adopt resolution on Poland
On Wednesday 14, a resolution on Poland was adopted with 510 to 160 votes with 29 abstentions, but a solution to developments in Poland referred to as the constitutional crisis remains unclear as the deadline given to the authorities by the Commission approaches.
Open debate with UN Secretary General Candidates
On the 12 of July at the UN, high-level representatives from States, civil society and the private sector discussed the human rights situation in the world. There was also a first televised live debate with the candidates for Secretary General at the United Nations, which was open for questions from the public.
Rule of law under threat in Poland
Civil society and national and international bodies have expressed concern at recent reforms in Poland and their impact on the rule of law. These reforms include changes to the functioning of the Constitutional Court, a law granting government control over TV and radio, a law granting additional powers of surveillance, and the merging of the functions of the Justice Minister and the formerly independent Prosecutor General.
Attacks on Polish NGOs
318 Polish non-governmental organizations have signed an open letter to the Prime Minister Beata Szydło, urging her to take action in response to verbal abuse and violent physical attacks on NGOs and activists, which recently took place in Warsaw.
Council of Europe institutions visit Poland
The Venice Commission and the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe are in Poland this week to meet with officials and NGOs regarding the constitutional crisis.
Constitutional crisis in Poland threatens rule of law
The Human Rights House Network is deeply concerned by the constitutional crisis in Poland, which threatens its status as an example of democracy and rule of law in Europe.
The new governing party, the Law and Justice (Prawo i Sprawiedliwość, PiS), is rapidly making, and planning changes to the Constitutional Tribunal, the public media, the Act on Police and the justice system.