Commissioner for Human Rights

Newsletter Commissioner for Human Rights in Poland 4 - 8 February 2019

MEDIA, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, AND ARTICLE 57 OF THE CONSTITUTION

The CHR is taking steps after the publication of the protesters’ images on TVP Wiadomości news programme. The law clearly determines in what circumstances people’s images may be published. None of those circumstances existed in the case of the people who were protesting in front of the TVP Info building. The CHR has requested the National Broadcasting Council to take steps with regard to the materials published by TVP on 4 February 2019, and has requested the TVP president to provide explanations. [more]

The CHR has inquired the police about the incident in front of the TVP building where a group of people blocked the car of Magdalena Ogórek, threatened her and used insults against her. The Commissioner has also requested information about the police officers’ intervention concerning those persons, including the number of people whose IDs were checked, and the steps taken in relation to them. [more]

The openness of TVP cannot be reflected in the provision of broadcasting time to everybody who think they have something to say to the society, wrote the TVP President in reply to the CHR’s allegation that some people have been blacklisted by TVP. [president Kurski’s letter]

HATE SPEECH and ARTICLES 30 AND 32 OF THE CONSTITUTION

Hate speech affects everyone. We should protect children, said Adam Bodnar on the Safe Internet Day, speaking about five ways to support children, about the world of computer games and social media not yet known by adults. [more]

Incitement to hatred in front of the Auschwitz museum. The CHR is looking into the matter. [more]

LIFE, FAMILY and ARTICLES 30, 38 AND 47 OF THE CONSTITUTION

Pedestrians always have a priority over vehicles at pedestrian crossings. The CHR suggests regulations should be changed, as a result of the cooperation with non-governmental organizations. [more]

Transgender persons do not have to take their children to court in cases concerning gender determination. The Supreme Court’s judgment on the case in which the Commissioner had supported the citizen. [more]

The rights of adult high-school students. The CHR has asked school inspectors whether the students inform them of problems they discuss with the Commissioner at meetings. [more]

The CHR is of the opinion that the Senate bill concerning denial of paternity should be made more detailed. [more]

PUBLIC GATHERINGS and ARTICLE 57 OF THE CONSTITUTION

What are the state authorities and local governments going to do about public gatherings? They have just received the CHR’s report “Freedom of Assembly” that was a subject of the debate during the Second Congress on Human Rights. [more]

TENANTS and ARTICLE 64 OF THE CONSTITUTION

The town of Skarżysko-Kamienna may not adopt council flat rental criteria other than those laid down in a relevant parliamentary act. [more]

The CHR requests minister Ziobro to support those who buy apartments after 1 January 2019: according to the law, perpetual usufruct has been replaced by ownership title. Yet, the selling entities do not yet have relevant certificates due to which the buyers’ ownership titles may not be registered in the land and mortgage registers. [more]

The Commissioner defends the rights of all owners expropriated from their property that was allocated to public use. [more]

Loud night parties and excessive noise in residential buildings. The local government appeals board has annulled the village administrator’s decision demanding noise level reduction. The CHR supports the residents. [more]

RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES and ARTICLE 69 OF THE CONSTITUTION

The CHR writes to the mayor of Warsaw with regard to Filip’s mother and costs of disabled children’s transport to pre-schools. [more]

Carers of persons with disabilities have problems with getting the care allowance when the patient’s certificate of disability loses its validity. [more]

STUDENTS, UNIVERSITIES, SCIENCE and ARTICLE 70 OF THE CONSTITUTION

Why does the College of Social and Media Culture in Toruń require the pastor’s opinion to be submitted by persons intending to study e.g. IT or political science at the college? The CHR’s inquiry to Deputy Prime Minister Gowin. [more]