Latest
A sentencing verdict for anti-semitic statements in Poland
On 28 October, Leszek Bubel was sentenced for making anti-Semitic statements. In a rare verdict, the District Court in Warsaw ruled that Bubel committed a crime by insulting the Jewish nation in his statement. (29-OCT-05)
First verdict in Poland on compensation for “wrongful birth”
On 13 October 2005, the Supreme Court in Warsaw issued – for the first time – a verdict on compensation for so called “wrongful birth”. The Court considered an extraordinary appeal of Mr and Mrs Wojnarowski (drawn up by lawyers cooperating with the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights) and returned the case for re-consideration by the Court of Appeals in Bialystok. (24-OCT-05)
New Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe
On 5th October 2005, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe elected new Commissioner for Human Rights – Mr Thomas Hammarberg who won the most votes in the second round, defeating two other candidates: Mr Marek Antoni Nowicki – President of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, and Marc Verwilghen – Belgian minister of economy and power industry. (14-OCT-05)
Another HFHR anti-discrimination program is under way!
On September 28th, an anti-discrimination training course for lawyers from Republic of Poland, Lithuania and Latvia began in Falenty near Warsaw. The training is the first stage of the program EU Non-Discrimination Law Training for Trainers from Republic of Poland, Lithuania and Latvia organized by the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights and INTERIGHTS. (30-SEP-05)
The Controlled Election Campaign
A joint campaign of the Polish media entitled “The Controlled Campaign” has been underway since the end of August. Its aim is to expose the lies used by politicians in their election campaigns. This operation is of particular significance, because this year the Poles are electing the parliament (September 25th) and the president (October 9th– I round, Octomer 23rd – II round). (23-SEP-05)
Visit of Ukrainian Attorneys to the HFHR
Between the 13th and the 15th of September, the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights hosted a visit of 11 attorneys from Dniepropietrowsk, Ukraine. They belonged to the Foundation of Constitutional and Civil Rights, and to the District Association of Attorneys. (23-SEP-05)
Marek Antoni Nowicki shortlisted for CoE Commissioner for Human Rights
On the 7th of September, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers selected three candidates for the post of Commissioner for Human Rights. One of them is Marek Antoni Nowicki, president of the Helsinki foundation for Human Rights since November 2003. (16-SEP-05)
Lukashenko took over the Association of Poles in Belarus
Last Saturday, that is August 27th, Lukashenko “ultimately dissolved” the issue of Poles in the Republic of Belarus by delegalizing the Board of the Association of Poles in the Republic of Belarus (APB), which was democratically elected in March, and appointing new Association authorities, obedient towards the President. (02-SEP-05)
Freedom of speech?
Last week, the head of the Campaign Against Homophobia – a Polish gay and lesbian organization – was fined by the court for his statement, which, according to the court, was aimed at offending Catholics. Lawyers have doubts as to the course chosen for making the verdict and the qualification of the offence itself. (12-AUG-05)