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On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights has prepared a short overview of the situation in Republic of Poland. Republic of Poland remains a relatively homogenous country ethnically and racially. According to the General Census, in 2002, Poland´s population was 38 230 thousand, of which 96,74% declared their nationality to be Polish. However, since accession to the European Union, the number of foreigners and migrants settling in the Republic of Poland has been increasing. Agnieszka Mikulska, right, of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, reports. (21-MAR-07)
 

‘The Act of disclosing information regarding security services documents from 1944-1990 and the contents of those documents [“Act”] came into effect 15 March 2006. This Act violates human rights and fundamental freedoms in numerous ways.’ writes the Helsinki Committee in Poland in its latest position regarding the lustration process. (21-MAR-07)

´The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights would like to express its deep concern with respect to the Polish Government’s stance adopted at a Common Conference of the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Cluster Munitions Coalition on the prohibition of the use and production of cluster munitions (Oslo Conference on Cluster Munitions), held on 22-23 February 2007.´ writes Mr Marek Antoni Nowicki President of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights to the Polish Prime Minister. (16-MAR-07)

´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)

The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights invites everyone to visit its “film library”. The HFHR has decided to make the educational films regarding human rights and liberties produced by the Foundation, or with its considerable contribution, available to public. (09-MAR-07)

The Young Journalists’ Association “POLIS” and the Viridarium Group are organizing a journalist competition entitled: “TEN INNY”. The competition is carried out under the auspices of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights and within the framework of the Council of Europe Campaign “All different-all equal”. (03-MAR-07)
 

Polish authorities and nongovernmental organizations are speaking up for the Belarusian oppositionist Alexander Kazulin, who has remained in prison since March 2006. At the end of 2006, wishing to draw the attention of the international public opinion, Alexander Kazulin began a hunger strike that lasted 54 days and left him extremely exhausted. Belarusian authorities are not allowing doctors from the International Red Cross to see him. (23-FEB-07)

In connection with the case of the cardiologist from the hospital of the Ministry of Interior and Administration in Warsaw, the Helsinki Committee in Poland calls on state officials, as well as journalists and commentators, to preserve the elementary principles guaranteeing the binding force of presumption of innocence for suspects and the accused. (16-FEB-07)

On 7 February, after familiarizing itself with the positions of the government and
non-governmental organizations, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women issued concluding comments, in which it made reference to the government’s policy and presented its recommendations. (14-FEB-07)