Newsletter 5 - 11 September 2017
MAIN MATTERS
“To differ does not mean to hate each other. Less hostility thanks to human rights awareness and dialogue"- results of a study conducted among students
Over five months, the CHR’s representatives visited 16 schools across Poland and talked with nearly four hundred pupils. They discussed their approach to migrants, the meaning of patriotism to them, and the sources of their knowledge about the world. Based on the meetings, a comprehensive report has been drawn up [more].
Adam Bodnar attended a meeting of the Ombudsmen of the Visegrad Group countries in Brno
In the Czech city of Brno, an annual V4 meeting was held of ombudsmen from Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. In the adopted declaration "Human Rights for Everyone", the Visegrad Group ombudsmen emphasized their common goals and values, as well as the significance of the institution of ombudsman maintaining independence of the authorities. Thanks to such independence, the ombudsmen may support ordinary people in their conflicts with the state [more].
The CHR’s Regional meeting in the Zachdniopomorskie Voivodeship (19-22 September)
In 2015 in Szczecin, Commissioner for Human Rights Adam Bodnar, Ph. D., began a series of CHR’s regional meetings. After two years, he will revisit the region and hold meetings not only in Szczecin, but also in Stargard Szczeciński, Gryfice, Złocieniec, Drawsko Pomorskie, Siemczyno, Czaplinek and Gryfino [meetings schedule and registration form].
THE COMMISSIONER ON CITIZENS’ ISSUES
Minister of National Defence Antoni Macierewicz shared the CHR’s opinion that the legal protection of whistle-blowers in uniformed services is insufficient. He hopes the issue will be tackled by the government and the legislative works on a relevant bill will be coordinated by the Minister of Justice [more].
Prosecutor's Office on the death of Igor Stachowiak who was tortured by police officers in a police station in Wrocław [more].
Further racist attacks have recently taken place in Warsaw
Commissioner for Human Rights Adam Bodnar met with a beaten Ethiopian citizen [more], and Deputy CHR Stanisław Trociuk expressed his support to a woman from Chechnya who was attacked when taking her children to a kindergarten [more].
A social campaign on child maintenance payment is necessary: the Commissioner for Human Rights and the Children's Ombudsman have written to Prime Minister Beata Szydło with regard to the issue [more].
After a data leakage from the PESEL database, the Commissioner for Human Rights requests more information on the security of citizens’ data [more].
Can the Empathy system be used with regard to child maintenance payments? The Minister of the Family, Labour and Social Policy replies to the CHR’s question [more].
LEGISLATION
The Constitutional Tribunal is considering a case regarding a dispute over competences between the President of the Republic of Poland and the Supreme Court, which relates to the power to pardon. The Commissioner for Human Rights has joined the proceeding and is of the opinion that it should be discontinued by the Tribunal [more].
Amounts of financial support to borrowers are going to be tax-free – an important announcement of the Minister of Development and Finance
This is of importance for the tax situation of borrowers, in particular those who had taken loans in Swiss francs and later had their debts restructured. The proposed regulation stipulates that this group of taxpayers will not be required to pay tax provided that their bank loans, interest and fees necessary to conclude the loan agreement are redeemed in the period from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2018 [more].