Newsletter 14-26 June 2017
MAIN MATTERS
The CHR’s statement in connection with his remark on TVP Info
The Commissioner apologized to all those who might have felt offended by his remark made in the programme Minęła dwudziesta [After eight p.m.], broadcast on TVP Info on 20 June 2017. He explained that when answering the presenter’s question he indicated that without any doubt, it was Germans who were responsible for the Holocaust. He added that also among Poles, there were individuals involved in this terrible operation. This was confirmed by the fact that there were death sentences issued against such people by the Home Army. The Commissioner also emphasized his engagement in counteracting misinformation on “Polish death camps”, published by certain Western European media. He gave the example of a lawsuit against the ZDF German public television station, which the CHR joined, presenting extensive legal argumentation [more].
The CHR also gave an interview for Rzeczpospolita daily with regard to the situation [more].
The Commissioner’s inquiry to the Border Guard and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the foreigner who was refused entry to Poland
The Commissioner is examining the case of a foreigner who was refused entry to Poland. With regard to the person, the European Court of Human Rights recommended the application by Poland of interim measures consisting in temporary resignation from repatriating the foreigner to the country from which he had attempted to enter Poland, i.e. Belarus. Despite the interim measures recommended by the Court, the Border Guard refused entry to Poland to the foreigner two times [more].
CBOS Public Opinion Research Centre: opinions on the activity of the Commissioner for Human Rights
According to a recent opinion survey carried out by CBOS, opinions on the Commissioner’s activities have improved as compared with the previous survey. At present, the opinion of almost half of Poles (47%, an increase by 5 percentage points over March) was described as “good”; every eighth citizen criticized the activities (12%, a reduction by 4 percentage points). The June assessment of the CHR institution was among the best assessments in the last two decades.
The Commissioner for Human Rights’ statement on the occasion of the World Refugee Day [more].
The case of an Austrian citizen who died at a police station. The Commissioner is looking into the situation [more].
THE COMMISSIONER ON CITIZENS’ ISSUES
The Supreme Court, taking into account the interest of elderly farmers and the position of the CHR, issued a resolution on the Land Trading Act [more, including a video with the CHR Office expert’s comment].
What claims may be raised against a road pirate who has caused a family member’s death? The CHR’s effective cassation appeal in defence of the accident victim’s son [more, including a video with the CHR Office expert’s comment].
The Commissioner’s inquiry to Commander-in-Chief of the Police with regard to the use of privately owned paralyzers by police officers [more].
Apartment buyers will get the apartments they have paid for, despite the bankruptcy of the SK Bank in Wołomin [more].
The Commissioner’s intervention regarding the insufficient number of lifeguards [more].
The Commissioner on voice detection of persons who call the National Tax Information Office [more].
The Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Government Office replies to the inquiry regarding data collection on foreigners and Polish citizens with non-Polish nationality [more].
The CHR welcomes the Sejm’s decision regarding the bill permitting the use of medical marijuana in our country [more].
The case of a leased semi-trailer. The CHR’s cassation appeal in support of the company owner [more].
The CHR’s inquiry to the Sejm regarding the legal grounds for not allowing students with badges to take part in a history competition [more].
Another attack on the seat of a non-governmental organization supporting the rights of LGBT persons [more].
Why is it not possible for a prisoner to apply for social housing? The Commissioner explains the situation [more].
The case of unequal treatment of lecturers at the University of Agriculture in Kraków [more].
The CHR’s inquiry to the Minister of Health and Inspector General for Personal Data Protection regarding the internet leakage of patients’ personal data [more].
The road near Ostrołęka. The CHR files a cassation appeal in the interests of a farmers’ couple [more].
How does Poland protect the interests of children adopted by foreigners? Minister Elżbieta Rafalska replies to the inquiry of the CHR and the Children’s Ombudsman [more].
The Commissioner looks into the case of a Togo citizen who was refused a bus trip [more].
An intervention to Commander-in-Chief of the Police regarding police officers who pretended to be journalists [more].
The CHR’s inquiry to the Minister of Justice with regard to the system of awarding grants under the Victims Support Fund and the Post-Penitentiary Assistance Fund [more].
The National Broadcasting Council cancelled a subscriber’s outstanding fees together with interest. A successful intervention of the CHR [more].
The Minister of Education cancelled the Schools Superintendent’s decision regarding the primary school named Pozytywna Szkoła Podstawowa Arkadiusza Arama Rybickiego in Gdańsk [more].
LEGISLATION
How advanced are the works on the draft Reprivatisation Act? The government replies to the CHR’s intervention regarding re-privatization [more].
The Minister of Justice agrees with the CHR: court proceedings regarding apartment leaving by perpetrators of domestic violence should be considered urgent. After the amendment of the legislation, courts will be able to hold hearings also during holiday periods [more].
Several dozen people who could not obtain certificates of renewable energy source installers will now be awarded the certificates: a judgement of the Constitutional Tribunal [more].
The court penalised an entrepreneur twice, as it did not take into account a proceeding in another court. The Supreme Court takes into account the CHR’s cassation appeal [more].
Petitions may also contain postulates to amend the Polish Constitution; after the Commissioner’s intervention the Senate changed its rules on considering petitions [more].
Prosecutors’ requests for access to documents containing data subject to medical confidentiality and psychiatric confidentiality – an intervention to the Minister of Justice [more].
An intervention to the Minister of Digitization regarding the new EU regulations on data protection [more].
There are still no provisions defining the term “building” for tax purposes [more].
THE CHRONICLE
Secondary school students receive awards from the CHR
Commissioner Adam Bodnar presented prizes to the winners of the 2nd edition of the CHR Multimedia Competition for the best interpretation of civil rights and freedoms contained in Chapter II of the Constitution [more]. At the CHR Office, the award ceremony was also held for winners of the competition for an essay on the subject THREE MAIN HUMAN RIGHTS - JUSTIFY YOUR CHOICE [more].
IX Regional Debate of the National Mechanism for Torture Prevention was held in Opole [more].
The Commissioner met with Director of the National Centre for Human Rights in Uzbekistan [more].
Deputy CHR Stanisław Trociuk on free-of-charge legal assistance [more].
The CHR met with representatives of the Coalition Against Psoriasis [more].
Pupils from the primary school in Mszczonów visited the CHR Office [more].
Deputy CHR once again visits Dom Patronatu home for former prisoners [more].
The CHR took part in the competition named “Wielki finał zwolnionych z teorii” [more].