Human rights in Poland

Last updated

Human rights in Poland are enumerated in the second chapter of its Constitution, ratified in 1997. Poland is a party to several international agreements relevant to human rights, including the European Convention on Human Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Helsinki Accords, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Contents

Human rights in Poland are not always upheld in practice. From 1959 to 2019, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Poland violated human rights in 989 cases. [1] In 2021, ILGA-Europe ranked Poland lowest in the European Union for protection of LGBT rights for the second year in a row. [2]

Human rights in the Polish law

The Constitution of the Republic of Poland

The Polish Constitution specifies a variety of human and citizen's rights. [3] The second chapter of the Constitution titled "The Freedoms, Rights and Obligations of Persons and Citizens" contains many articles informing about human rights in Poland. Among constitutional freedoms and rights are:

Article 14 - Freedom of the press and other means of social communication.

Article 21 - Protection of ownership and the right of succession.

Article 25 - Equal rights of churches and religious organisations.

Article 31

  1. Legal protection of freedom of the person.
  2. Respect for freedoms and rights of others.

Article 32

  1. Equality before the law of all persons and the right to equal treatment by public authorities.
  2. No discrimination in political, social or economic life for any reason whatsoever.

Article 33 - Equal rights of Polish citizens in family, political, social and economic life.

Article 34 - Right not to lose Polish citizenship by a Polish citizen.

Article 35 - Freedom to maintain and develop language and customs.

Article 36 - Right to protection by the Polish State while staying abroad.

Article 38 - Right to legal protection of the life of every human being.

Article 39 - Freedom from being subjected to scientific experimentation without voluntary consent.

Article 40 - Freedom from torture or cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 41 - Right to personal inviolability, security and liberty.

Article 42 - Right to defence.

Article 45 - Right to a fair and public hearing before a competent, impartial and independent court.

Article 47 - Right to legal protection of private and family life.

Article 48 - Right of parents to raise their children in accordance with their own convictions.

Article 50 - Right to inviolability of the home.

Article 51 - Right not to disclose personal information.

Article 52 - Freedom of movement and choice of place of residence.

Article 53 - Freedom of conscience and religion.

Article 54 - Freedom to express opinions.

Article 56 - Right to asylum in the Republic of Poland.

Article 57 - Freedom of peaceful assembly and participation.

Article 58 - Freedom of association.

Article 60 - Right of access to the public service based on the principle of equality.

Article 61 - Right to obtain information on the activities of public authorities.

Article 62 - Right to vote for Polish citizens who attained 18 years of age.

Article 63 - Right to submit petitions, proposals and complaints in the public interest.

Article 65 - Freedom to choose and to pursue occupation.

Article 66 - Right to safe and hygienic conditions of work.

Article 67 - Right to social security.

Article 68 - Right to protection of health.

Article 70 - Right to education.

Article 72 - Right to protection of the right of the child.

Article 73 - Freedom of artistic creation.

Article 80 - The right to apply to the Commissioner for Citizens' Rights for assistance in protection of freedoms or rights infringed by organs of public authority.

History

Elements of what is called now human rights may be found in early times of the Polish state. The Statute of Kalisz, the General Charter of Jewish Liberties (issued in 1264) introduced numerous right for Jewish minorities in Poland. The Warsaw Confederation of 1573 confirmed the religious freedom of all residents of Poland, which was extremely important for the stability of the multi-ethnic Polish society of the time. Gathered at Warsaw, all nobles signed a document in which representatives of all major religions pledged mutual support and tolerance. The following eight or nine decades of material prosperity and relative security witnessed the appearance of "a virtual galaxy of sparkling intellectual figures." [4] [5]

In recent history, human rights have vastly improved only after the fall of communism in 1989 and the replacement of the old repressive norms of the pro-Soviet communist regime with the modern, democratic government guaranteeing first class civil and political rights, confirmed by the Freedom House. [6]

Poland has ratified the International Criminal Court agreement. Corporal punishment is entirely prohibited since 2010. Death Penalty is abolished for all crimes as noted by Amnesty International. [7] Modern Poland is a country with a high level of freedom of expression, [8] guaranteed by the article 25 (section I. The Republic) of the Constitution of Poland which reads:

Public authorities in the Republic of Poland shall be impartial in matters of personal conviction, whether religious or philosophical, or in relation to outlooks on life, and shall ensure their freedom of expression within public life.

The article Article 54 (section II. The Freedoms, Rights and Obligations of Persons and Citizens) states:

1. The freedom to express opinions, to acquire and to disseminate information shall be ensured to everyone.

2. Preventive censorship of the means of social communication and the licensing of the press shall be prohibited.

Freedom of expression

Rainbow Madonna, an adaptation of the Black Madonna of Czestochowa, may be subject to censorship in Poland. Rainbow Black Madonna of Czestochowa.png
Rainbow Madonna, an adaptation of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa, may be subject to censorship in Poland.

Freedom of expression in Poland is curtailed by various laws, which forbid speech which is deemed to insult the national symbols of Poland or the President. There are also laws against offending religious feelings and insulting monuments. [10] In 2019, an LGBT activist, Elżbieta Podleśna, was arrested for creating and displaying a Rainbow Madonna adaptation of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa. [9]

In 2017, Amnesty International raised concerns about freedom of assembly in Poland, stating that "authorities use techniques such as surveillance, harassment and prosecution to disperse and prevent mass protests". [11] It also stated that "the authorities often give preferential treatment to pro-government and nationalist demonstrations over other types of assemblies". [12]

Women's Rights

History of Feminism

Narcyza Zmichowska, precursor of feminism in Poland Manor of Kraszewski family in Romanow - Exhibition hall - 18.jpg
Narcyza Żmichowska, precursor of feminism in Poland

Feminism in Poland started in 1800s in the age of foreign Partitions marked by the gross abuse of power especially by the Russians, [13] which impacted the rights of women as well. [14] However, prior to the last Partition in 1795, tax-paying females were allowed to take part in political life. Poland's precursor of feminism under Partitions, Narcyza Żmichowska who founded a group of Suffragettes in 1842, was jailed by the Russians for three years. [15] [16] Since 1918, following the return to independence, all women could vote. Poland was the 15th (12th sovereign) country to introduce universal women's suffrage. Nevertheless, there is a number of issues concerning women in modern-day Poland such as the abortion rights (formally allowed only in special circumstances) and the "glass ceiling". [17] [18]

Violence against women

Domestic Violence, [19] according to 2011 report by TheNews.pl website run by the Polish Radio, is perceived by one in five respondents as a problem. Thirty eight percent of Poles know at least one family where physical violence occurs, and seven percent claimed to know of at least one family where sexual violence took place, according to a survey carried out in November by research centre SMG KRC on behalf of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. The survey revealed that 27 percent of respondents were reluctant to act against apparent abusers for fear that the violence might be transferred onto themselves, while 17 percent felt that raising the matter would exacerbate the problem for the initial victim. One in four of those surveyed felt that there is no obligation on neighbours or acquaintances to act when domestic violence is brought to their notice, believing that it is difficult to judge which party is in the right. [19] Forty three percent of those surveyed declared that interventions in family matters is only permissible when someone asks for help and 14 percent of third parties said there was no point in reporting such as case, as the victim would inevitably withdraw from legal action regardless. [19] Some 13 percent said that such abuse is a private family matter. At the same time, 16 percent said that there are situations when violence is justified in the home. Some 26 percent of Poles claim that they have been victims of physical violence. [19]

Rape is illegal and punishable by up to 12 years in prison (including spousal rape). Sexual harassment is under-reported due to societal views. [20] In January 2014, a reform was introduced to both simplify the procedure as well as make it a criminal offence pursued by the state, rather than a private act of accusal. [21] An abortion is very difficult to obtain in Poland by official means. [22]

In the field of employment, due to perceptions of women's roles, unemployment for women is high. [23]

On 29 October 2020, the civil rights advocacy group Amnesty International urged authorities in Poland to protect peaceful protesters demonstrating against abortion restrictions, from harassment and violent attacks committed by counter-demonstrators. According to the organization, protesters have faced excessive use of force by police officers, and have been arbitrarily detained without access to lawyers in the past. [24]

LGBTQ+ rights

Poland country signed the UN LGBTQ+ rights declaration, but same-sex unions are not recognized in Poland. However, Poland is not on the list of countries with state-sponsored homophobia, and homosexuality in Poland was never criminalised under Polish jurisdiction. Homosexuality was confirmed legal in 1932, and Poland also recognises gender change and requires no sterilisation of its transgender citizens. [25] Anna Grodzka became an MP in the 2011 Polish parliamentary elections, and was then the only known transgender MP in the world. [26] [ dubious – discuss ]

2019 Equality March in Czestochowa 02019 0594 Equality March 2019 in Czestochowa.jpg
2019 Equality March in Częstochowa

According to ILGA-Europe's 2021 report, [27] a ranking of 49 European countries published by ILGA-Europe annually, Poland scored the lowest place out of European Union member states and 43rd overall. This ranking uses extensive criteria to assess legal and policy practices for LGBTI people. [28]

In July 2021, the European Commission announced that it was suing Poland (along with Hungary) for violation of the fundamental rights of LGBTQ people. [29] [30]

Third-party evaluation

A 2010 report by United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor noted that "Poland's government generally respects the human rights of its citizens"; it did however note problems, with the majority of such being police misconduct, lengthy pretrial detention and laws that restricted free speech (although rarely enforced), in addition to corruption in the government and society. [31]

Freedom House Research Institute once classified Poland as a country of first class political and civil rights, but as of 2020, Poland's ratings in Freedom House's Nations in Transit report had declined for four consecutive years. [6] [32] According to the Global Peace Index, Poland is the 23rd most peaceful country in the world. [33]

In 2020, the Committee for the Prevention of Torture raised "serious concern" over excessive force used by Polish police during arrests. [34]

See also

Related Research Articles

Human rights in Europe are generally upheld. However, several human rights infringements exist, ranging from the treatment of asylum seekers to police brutality. The 2012 Amnesty International Annual Report points to problems in several European countries. One of the most accused is Belarus, the only country in Europe that, according to The Economist, has an authoritarian government. All other European countries are considered to have "some form of democratic government", having either the "full democracy", "flawed democracy", or a "hybrid regime".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBTQ rights in Hungary</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) people in Hungary face legal and social challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Homosexuality is legal in Hungary for both men and women. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and sex is banned in the country. However, households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for all of the same legal rights available to heterosexual married couples. Registered partnership for same-sex couples was legalised in 2009, but same-sex marriage remains banned. The Hungarian government has passed legislation that restricts the civil rights of LGBT Hungarians – such as ending legal recognition of transgender Hungarians and banning LGBT content and displays for minors. This trend continues under the Fidesz government of Viktor Orbán. In June 2021, Hungary passed an anti-LGBT law on banning "homosexual and transexual propaganda" effective since 1 July. The law has been condemned by seventeen member states of the European Union. In July 2020, the European Commission started legal action against Hungary and Poland for violations of fundamental rights of LGBTQI people, stating: "Europe will never allow parts of our society to be stigmatized."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human rights in Kyrgyzstan</span>

Human rights in Kyrgyzstan improved after the ouster of President Askar Akayev in the 2005 Tulip Revolution and the installment of a more democratic government under Roza Otunbayeva. While the country is performing well compared to other states in Central Asia, many human rights violations still take place. While LGBT rights have been declining in recent years, freedom of press has been improving.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human rights in Ethiopia</span>

According to the U.S. Department of State's human rights report for 2022, there exists "significant human rights issues" in Ethiopia. In addition to extrajudicial killings and instances of "enforced disappearance", other human right issues in Ethiopia include arbitrary arrest, the censorship and unjustified arrests of journalists, the use of child soldiers, and more.

Human rights in Croatia are defined by the Constitution of Croatia, chapter three, sections 14 through 69.

In one scholarly conception, the history of feminism in Poland can be divided into seven periods, beginning with 19th-century first-wave feminism. The first four early periods coincided with the foreign partitions of Poland, which resulted in an eclipse of a sovereign Poland for 123 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human rights in the Netherlands</span>

Human rights are codified in the Dutch constitution. Together with other European states, the Netherlands is often at or near the head in international civil liberties and political rights rankings. Per year there are about 6,000 victims of and 100 convictions for human trafficking. Despite this, the Netherlands is considered to have one of the best human rights records in the world.

Abortion in Poland is illegal except in cases where the pregnancy is a result of a criminal act or when the woman's life or health is in danger. The last change in the Act on Pregnancy Planning of the Republic of Poland took place on 27 January 2021, when publication of the judgment of the Polish Constitutional Tribunal in the Dziennik Ustaw RP took place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human rights in Liechtenstein</span>

Liechtenstein, a multiparty constitutional monarchy with a unicameral parliament and a government chosen by the reigning prince at its direction, is generally considered to be a prosperous and free country that is also generally considered to have an excellent human-rights record.

There are several social issues in Armenia including poverty, high unemployment rates, corruption, and inadequate public services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human rights in Benin</span>

The human-rights situation in Benin is considered to be generally above average for sub-Saharan Africa.

Iceland is generally considered to be one of the leading countries in the world in regard to the human rights enjoyed by its citizens. Human rights are guaranteed by Sections VI and VII of Iceland's Constitution. Since 1989, a post of Ombudsman exists. Elections are free and fair, security forces report to civilian authorities, there is no state violence, and human rights groups are allowed to operate without restriction. Religious freedom is guaranteed, and discrimination based on sexual orientation is illegal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human rights in Belgium</span>

According to international observers, human rights in Belgium are generally respected and the law and the judiciary provides effective means of addressing individual instances of abuse. However, some concerns have been reported by international human rights officials over the treatment of asylum seekers, prison overcrowding and the banning of full face veils. Capital punishment is fully abolished and a prohibition on the death penalty is included in the Constitution of Belgium. Belgium was a founding member of the European Union and the Council of Europe and a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights. Belgium has minimal issues regarding corruption and was ranked 15 out of 167 countries surveyed in Transparency International's 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Istanbul Convention</span> 2011 Council of Europe convention

The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, better known as the Istanbul Convention, is a human rights treaty of the Council of Europe opposing violence against women and domestic violence which was opened for signature on 11 May 2011, in Istanbul, Turkey. The convention aims at prevention of violence, victim protection and to end the impunity of perpetrators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human rights in Sweden</span>

Human rights in Sweden are largely protected in the country's constitution and ratified international law. The three Constitutional acts concerning human rights are Chapter 2 of the Instrument of Government, Regeringsformen, the Freedom of the Press Act, Tryckfrihetsförordningen (1949) and Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression, Yttrandefrihetsgrundlagen (1991). Additionally, the European Convention on Human Rights has been incorporated into Swedish domestic law since 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human rights in Denmark</span>

Human rights in the Kingdom of Denmark are protected by the state's Constitution of the Realm (Danmarks Riges Grundlov); applying equally in Denmark proper, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, and through the ratification of international human rights treaties. Denmark has held a significant role in the adoption of both the European Convention on Human Rights and in the establishment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). In 1987, the Kingdom Parliament (Folketinget) established a national human rights institution, the Danish Centre of Human Rights, now the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human rights in Lithuania</span>

Human rights in Lithuania have been the subject of much coverage. Lithuania scores 91 out of 100 in 2019 report by Freedom House, which classifies the country as "free", with high rankings in civil liberties and political rights. In particular, Lithuania ranks 30th among 180 countries, well above the world's average level in press freedom, and achieves a full score in freedom of assembly and nongovernmental organisations. However, there are concerns regarding children's welfare, domestic violence, discrimination against minorities including the Roma, Jews and LGBTI people, as well as poor treatment of prisoners. The Constitution of Lithuania guarantees the protection of human rights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human rights in Portugal</span>

Portugal is generally considered as successful in upholding the civil liberties and protecting the human rights of its citizens. Portugal has proved to be determined in promoting and respecting human rights at an international and national level. The country's minister of Justice as of September 2018, Francisca Van Dunem, said that Portugal has had "a good track record" on human rights but violations still do persist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human rights in Nicaragua</span>

Human rights in Nicaragua refer to personable, political and social rights granted to every human in Nicaragua. Nicaragua derives its understanding of human rights from the Constitution of Nicaragua and international law. Nicaragua is a member state of the United Nations which states that fundamental human rights, such as freedom from slavery and freedom of expression, are enabled for all human beings without discrimination.

The Polish constitutional crisis, also known as the Polish rule-of-law crisis, is a political conflict ongoing since 2015 in which the Polish government has been accused of failing to comply with European and Polish constitutional law. The 2015 elections resulted in the Law and Justice party winning control of both the presidency and the parliament. With this government trifecta, PiS used its power to appoint judges to the Constitutional Tribunal in 2015, leading to the 2015 Polish Constitutional Court crisis. The government of Poland continued to expand its hold on the judiciary resulting in the 2017 Supreme Court crisis, and the 2019 Polish judicial disciplinary panel law. These events allowed the legislature and executive of the Polish government to have de facto control over judges and their appointments.

References

  1. ↑ 2019 stats by country
  2. ↑ "Rainbow Europe 2021 | ILGA-Europe". www.ilga-europe.org. 17 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  3. ↑ "The Constitution of the Republic of Poland". www.sejm.gov.pl. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  4. ↑ Gershon David Hundert (2004). Jews in Poland-Lithuania in the Eighteenth Century: A Genealogy of Modernity (Google Books preview). University of California Press. p. 11. ISBN   0520238443.
  5. ↑ Dembkowski, Harry E. (1982). The union of Lublin, Polish federalism in the golden age. East European Monographs, 1982. p. 271. ISBN   978-0-88033-009-1.
  6. 1 2 "Freedom in the World 2011: Table of Independent Countries" (PDF). 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 November 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  7. ↑ "Poland - Amnesty International Report 2010 | Amnesty International". Amnesty.org. Retrieved 2012-08-06.
  8. ↑ "Time to step up: The EU and freedom of expression" (PDF). Index on Censorship. December 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  9. 1 2 Sieradzka, Monika (10 May 2019). "Poland: Furor over 'rainbow madonna' LGBT activist arrest". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 20 April 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  10. ↑ Tilles, Daniel (21 August 2018). "Poland's "insult laws" and the threat to free speech". Notes From Poland. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  11. ↑ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Amnesty International (AI) slams Poland for undermining freedom of assembly | DW | 19.10.2017". DW.COM. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  12. ↑ "Freedom of assembly under 'serious threat' in Poland: Amnesty". France 24. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  13. ↑ Adam Zamoyski, The Last King of Poland, London, 1992, p.429. ISBN   0753804964. In the massacre of Praga district of Warsaw, the Russian imperial army killed up to 20,000 civilians regardless of gender and age. "According to one Tsarist estimate some 20,000 civilians had been killed in the space of a few hours."
  14. ↑ Tuszyńska, Agata (2001). "Rosjanie w Warszawie: Klub Ruski; Koszary; Lupanary" [Russians in Warsaw: Russian clubs; Garrisons; Brothels](PDF) (in Polish). Tower Press, Gdańsk. pp. 42–44. Retrieved 26 December 2012. Hunger and poverty were rampant with record number of women forced into Russian military brothels under the Tsarist chief of police (1888–1895), known sex predator Nikolai Kleigels (Russian: Клейгельс). In army garrisons sex could be bought for as little as 30 kopecks (less than 1/3 of a ruble); one woman for every 30 Russians, with beatings and instances of women getting killed by them in drunken rages.
  15. ↑ "Żmichowska Narcyza". Internetowa encyklopedia PWN (in Polish). Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  16. ↑ Marta Mizuro, Barbara Winklowa: Narcyza Żmichowska i Wanda Żeleńska, ISBN   83-08-03496-9 Onet.pl
  17. ↑ Agnieszka Nowak, Women's status in Poland. Social Watch.
  18. ↑ "The status of sexual equality policies in Poland" by Bożena Chołuj. Archived 2014-02-02 at the Wayback Machine Eurotopics.net archive.
  19. 1 2 3 4 "Domestic violence rife in Poland, research finds - National". Thenews.pl. Retrieved 2012-08-06.
  20. ↑ "2010 Human Rights Report: Poland". State.gov. 2011-04-08. Retrieved 2012-08-06.
  21. ↑ Gwalciciel scigany z urzedu. (Rapists pursued by the State). Tokfm.pl
  22. ↑ Nowicka, Wanda (9 April 2009). "The Struggle for Abortion Rights in Poland" (PDF). Sexuality Policy Watch. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 October 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  23. ↑ "Women's status in Poland: a permanent crisis". Social Watch. 2009-11-03. Retrieved 2012-08-06.
  24. ↑ "Poland: Authorities must protect peaceful protests against abortion restrictions". Amnesty International. 29 October 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  25. ↑ "Trans Rights Europe Map" (PDF). TGEU Transgender Europe. May 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 August 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  26. ↑ Grodzka, Anna (17 May 2013). "As the world's only transgender MP, I want to ensure our voices are heard". The Guardian; Comment is Free.
  27. ↑ "Rainbow Europe 2021 | ILGA-Europe". www.ilga-europe.org. 17 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  28. ↑ "Rainbow Europe 2020 | ILGA-Europe". www.ilga-europe.org. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  29. ↑ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "EU sues Hungary and Poland over LGBTQ discrimination | DW | 15.07.2021". DW.COM. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  30. ↑ "EU launches legal action over LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary and Poland". the Guardian. 2021-07-15. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  31. ↑ "2010 Human Rights Report: Poland". State.gov. 2011-04-08. Archived from the original on 2011-04-14. Retrieved 2012-08-06.
  32. ↑ "Poland: Nations in Transit 2020 Country Report". Freedom House. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  33. ↑ "The world's most peaceful countries". MSN News. 30 November 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  34. ↑ "Council of Europe flags concern over Poland's treatment of detainees". www.euractiv.com. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.

Further reading


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.