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The Helsinki Committee in Poland in its position from 20 February 2008 reminds again that personal freedom from encroachment by the state is the superseding principle and limitations on freedom may occur solely in thoroughly-warranted cases. In particular wiretapping may constitute an unwarranted violation of personal freedom. (22-FEB-08)

On 30 January 2008 a session of the Council of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights was held and was also the first meeting in a series devoted to the development of the strategy for Foundation´s activities in the upcoming years. At the same time, the Council introduced changes in the Foundation´s statutory bodies. (04-FEB-08)

The Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings entered into force on 1 February and this day the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights sent a letter to Prime Minister of Republic of Poland Mr. Donald Tusk drawing his attention to the necessity for Republic of Poland to ratify this Convention. (01-FEB-08)

On January 25, 2008 the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights addressed to Mr. Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of Europe and to Mr. Jose Manuel Barosso, President of the European Commission, letters regarding refusal of the President of Republic of Poland to appoint 9 persons for the position of judges in Polish courts. The point is that alI the persons concerned followed the process af judicial appointments established by the relevant law and fulfilled all the pre-conditions required for the respective positions.(28-JAN-08)

During the January session of the Human Rights Advisory Panel – a special body competent for considering the complaints of citizens against human rights violations by the UN international administration in Kosovo – Marek Antoni Nowicki, the president of the Board of HFHR, was chosen as its President.(24-JAN-08)

The Regional Prosecutor´s Office in Cracow has undertaken verifying proceedings connected with the publication of the book by Jan Tomasz Gross entitled “Fear”. Prosecutor wants to examine whether the book´s author committed the crime of unjustly accusing the Polish Nation of participation, organization and responsibility for Communist or Nazi crimes (Article 132a of the Penal Code). The Helsinki Committee appeals to state authorities for restraint in taking actions the problem of article 132a is considered by the Constitutional Tribunal. ( 18-JAN-08)

Two out of three employers in the Republic of Poland check their subordinates’ e-mail correspondence and monitor their computers. It often occurs that employers check their employees’ sobriety each day using a breathalyzer, and not only when circumstances indicate such a necessity. At the same time, very few of them inform employees about the methods of monitoring their work.(14-JAN-08)

The European Court of Human Rights intends to thoroughly examine the problem of applying pre-trial detention in the Republic of Poland. The Court approached the government inquiring whether it is true that a “system of groundless excessive detention of individuals suspected of committing a crime” is commonly applied in the Republic of Poland. This case is unprecedented, as until now the Strasbourg Court has never approached a state with an inquiry regarding the entirety of an issue. (04-JAN-08)
 

The closing ceremony of the 7th International Film Festival WATCH DOCS. Human Rights in Film took place at the Muranów cinema on 16 December 2007. As the best film, the festival’s audience selected the Israeli documentary “Bridge over the Wadi”, directed by Barak Heymann and Tomer Heymann, about a joint Israeli-Arab elementary school. Director Barak Heymann collected the award on Sunday.(18-DEC-07)