Latest

Two events directed against the Ukrainian minority in the Republic of Poland took place at the end of October. They caused alarm within the Ukrainian community. The expert Dorota Hall (right) from the Helsinki Foundation, says “that the situation is serious and arouses concern”. However, she awaitens the response from the authorities before passing judgments regarding the deterioration of the situation surrounding the Ukrainian minority in the Republic of Poland. (03-NOV-06)
 

On 4 October 2006, Viridarium – the action group against anti-Semitism and xenophobia – began a new series of meetings intended to recognize diversity, reinforce dialogue and consolidate remembrance and knowledge about others. (20-OCT-06)

The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights has sent the letter to the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Poland encouraging a full and prompt investigation of the circumstances surrounding the death of Anna Politkovskaya as well as punishment of not only the perpetrators but also those standing behind them. (13-OCT-06)
 

A joint project of three Polish non-governmental organizations was launched on 4 October entitled “Civil Monitoring of Candidates for Judges”. The program’s objective is to enable the civil society’s participation in a debate regarding candidates for the positions of judges at courts and tribunals of the highest instance. (06-OCT-06)

“It is with growing unease that we have noted statements by the highest state authorities, including the Minister of Justice–Prosecutor General and the President of Republic of Poland, slighting the good name of Polish courts – the third pillar of power in a democratic state with the rule of law.” state Polish NGOs in their public statement. (22-SEP-06)

On 29 August 2006, the daily “Zycie Warszawy” published an article, which stated a thesis that Jacek Kuron cooperated with the Secret Police in the 1980s. This article caused an avalanche of comments aimed at discrediting not only Jacek Kuron, but the entire political line that he represented. The politicians of the ruling coalition, in particular the politicians from the League of Polish Families (Liga Polskich Rodzin), have excelled at this. (08-SEP-06)

The Polish government elaborated draft amendments to the Law on Foundations. The proposed amendments increase State control over foundations to such an extent that a question arises whether following the approval of the act in this form foundations, which are non-governmental organizations, will still remain non-governmental? (26-AUG-06)

‘The persistent advocacy of the death penalty as a cornerstone punishment, upon which rests the power of law and the subsequent use of such a postulate to force through the reinstatement of the death penalty in Republic of Poland is harmful to the development of the moral and legal culture of the country’ states the Helsinki Committee in Poland. (18-AUG-06)

“In connection with the passing of the so-called Vetting Act (the Act of 21 July 2006 on the disclosure of information on documents of State security apparatus from the period between 1944 – 1990 and the contents of those documents) by the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, we feel an obligation to protest against some of  its solutions, which violate human rights and the principle of the rule of law.”(18-AUG-06)