Newsletter 7 – 13 March 2017
MAIN MATTERS
Adam Bodnar on the challenges faced by Europeans: a speech at the Homo Homini award ceremony in Prague
- We live in an era which presents new challenges to Europeans. The relatively peaceful years of development of the European integration have created the impression that across our continent, free citizens’ rights are sufficiently and irrevocably guaranteed. We did not expect history to take a step backwards. We did not anticipate any regions or communities in Europe to question the basic values of democracy, the role of constitutions, the idea of the rule of law- pointed Adam Bodnar in his opening address at the Homo Homini award gala held in Prague.
The Commissioner emphasized that Europeans should learn from the experience of the twentieth century and avoid the errors that led to the tragedy of the Second World War. Therefore, according to the CHR, it is of particular importance to give a firm response to all forms of hate speech and all cases of racist, anti-Semitic or xenophobic attacks [more].
The Commissioner for Human Rights met with Poland’s President Andrzej Duda
Assistance to homeless Poles living abroad, the operation of the system of free-of-charge legal advice provision, and issues relating to language used by public authorities and its impact on communication with the society were the issues discussed by Commissioner for Human Rights Adam Bodnar in his meeting with President Andrzej Duda on 7 March 2017. The President also accepted the CHR’s invitation to the First Polish National Congress of Civil Rights, to be held in December this year on the occasion of the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Act on the Commissioner for Human Rights [more].
Adam Bodnar on the occasion of the International Women’s Day
- The strike of women is not just a feminist manifestation or, to use the fashionable phrase, a putsch of women's organizations. It is an authentic social protest of citizens demanding respect for their rights, wrote the CHR in his commentary for Onet.pl web portal [text of the commentary, and video with Adam Bodnar speaking about women’s rights].
A meeting with the National Council of Consumer Advocates and the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection
Discrimination in the services market, offences which consist in cheating elderly persons, problems of persons who took loans in Swiss francs, as well as difficulties in co-operation with prosecutors and with some local governments were the subjects discussed at the meeting held at the CHR Office with consumer advocates and representatives of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection [more].
THE CHR ON CITIZENS’ ISSUES
Ordinary recidivism: the Supreme Court has analysed the cassation complaint filed by the CHR. The case was raised by the Commissioner as a result of his examination of the problems of imprisoned persons with intellectual or mental disability [more].
Drivers under the influence of drugs: the Commissioner’s correspondence with the Police and the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration [more].
The CHR’s effective intervention regarding a person living in a social welfare home and working despite disability [more].
The CHR’s inquiry to the Minister of Infrastructure and Construction regarding apartment residents’ problems with the law on housing cooperatives [more].
The CHR: self-employed persons should also have the right to the childcare allowance [more].
What about training for judges and prosecutors on the penalties for failure to pay alimony? - The CHR’s inquiry to the National School of the Judiciary and Public Prosecutors [more].
Cases of violation of the right of defence: examples of measures taken by the CHR [more].
TVP television channel’s reply to the CHR’s intervention regarding information on the situation in the Polish Association of Allotment Garden Owners [more].
LEGISLATION
The Supreme Administrative Court’s important judgments relating to reimbursement of medicines which have marketing authorization but are not available in Poland [more].
An application to the Minister of Development and Finance regarding the possibility to submit a joint income tax return together with one’s child before a court issues a decision on divorce [more].
What is going to be done about imprisoned persons with intellectual or mental disability? The Commissioner writes to the Minister of Justice [more].
An application to the Minister of Justice regarding the system of post-penitentiary assistance provision to persons leaving psychiatric facilities after staying there within a preventive measure [more].
THE CHRONICLE
Citizens’ rights and freedoms discussed with young people: Adam Bodnar visited the Poznań school which sent the largest number of applications to the CHR’s multimedia competition [more].
Adam Bodnar at the 25th Anniversary Gala of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity [more].
Preventing violence against children and youth: the CHR attends the 1st National Forum of Best Practices [more].
Deputy CHR Sylwia Spurek, PhD, nominated to the award Superbohaterka 2016/Female Superhero 2016 [competition details].
Important!
The website rpo.gov.pl contains a calendar of the upcoming meetings with the Commissioner for Human Rights and of events held under his patronage.