Latest

Helsinki Committee in Poland, on July 3, 2007 took a position on the stance of the Polish authorities regarding the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The HC members wrote:”The Helsinki Committee was saddened and anxious to learn that the Polish delegation at the Brussels Summit undertook initiatives clearly intended to take away from citizens in the Republic of Poland a portion of the rights that would be guaranteed under the Charter.” (05-JUL-07)

From 19 to 26 June, protest of nurses and midwives was held outside and inside the Chancellery of the Prime Minister in Warsaw. The nurses demanded raises in salaries and reforms of the health service. The Trade Unions Forum judged that there had been a violation of the fundamental civil rights and freedoms of four women protesting inside the Chancellery of the Prime Minister. (28-JUNE-07)

The Civil Commission of Good Will initiated its activity on 21 June on a press conference in the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights headquarters. Its members include underground opposition activists from the period of the Polish People’s Republic, historians, lawyers as well as clergymen. The Commission wants to bring aid to individuals accused of cooperation with the secret service of the Polish People’s Republic, who have a sense of wrong and injustice in connection with the publication of information regarding their past. (25-JUNE-07)

A new Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights project entitled “Strengthening the rule of law and human rights protection in the Republic of Poland through involvement of business entities, civil society groups and individuals in strategic litigation activities” was inaugurated on 18 June during a conference that included several dozen representatives from the world of science, business, media and nongovernmental organizations. (20-JUNE-07)

Marek Antoni Nowicki, the President of the Helsinki Foundation for Human and former Ombudsperson in Kosovo participated in the “Regional Ombudsman Conference: Support and Obstacles to the Protection of Human Rights”, which took place on 8th and 9th June 2007 in Pristina/Kosovo. The conference brought ombudsman institutions from across southeastern Europe together with representatives of Kosovo’s local authorities, civil society groups and media. (11-JUNE-07)
 

30 May, the Warsaw Regional Court held a hearing regarding Miroslaw Sielatycki, the former director of the National In-Teacher Training Center dismissed over Compass. The Court ruled Mr. Sielatycki was wrongfully dismissed and awarded compensation. The matter of Miroslaw Sielatycki was covered by the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights Strategic Litigation Program. (31-MAY-07)

On 28 May 2007, the Anticorruption Coalition of NGOs (ACNGO), of which the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights is a member, took a position on the bill being drafted by the Sejm [Lower House] regarding limitations on holding public office. Coalition members decided to present their comments on the bill as it materially amends current regulations. (29-MAY-07)

We are pleased to inform you that the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (Warsaw-Poland) have started new educational project for journalists from Republic of Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Republic of Poland and North-West regions of the Russian Federation. The deadline for applications is June 1, 2007. (18-MAY-07)

On 11 May 2007, the Polish Constitutional Tribunal ruled the partial inconsistency of the new lustration law with the Constitution. According to the President of the Tribunal, Jerzy Stepien (right), the lustration law is feasible despite the necessity to introduce amendments. (14-MAY-07)