Newsletter Commissioner for Human Rights in Poland 9-15 January 2017

Newsletter 9-15 January 2017

MAIN MATTERS

The next wave of low temperatures is approaching. Not all shelters can accommodate all those in need

Problems of homeless persons were discussed by Adam Bodnar and Agnieszka Fill, head of Doctors of Hope health centre in Warsaw. The Commissioner also visited St. Lazarus shelter facility which accepts all those in need of care and shelter [more].

The Polish Government has no intention to withdraw from the convention against violence [more].

- ensured Government Plenipotentiary for Equal Treatment Adam Lipiński in his letter to the CHR. The letter is a reply to the information that the office of the Government Plenipotentiary for Civil Society and Equal Treatment received a draft letter of intent to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, which the Ministry of Justice sent to different ministries for consultation [more].

„Do you have a problem with a loan in Swiss francs? Find out what you can do” – a joint information action of the CHR and the Financial Ombudsman

On 13 January, over 200 persons visited the CHR’s Regional Office in Wrocław to seek information on what they can do about their Swiss franc loans [report on the event]. This was the first meeting held within the joint information action of the CHR and the Financial Ombudsman. We already know that in view of the huge interest in the subject (and people’s need to obtain basic information on their rights) the meeting will be repeated.

Detailed information and meeting dates are available at rpo.gov.pl

Adam Bodnar and the CHR employees support Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy (the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity)

On 15 January, the 25^th Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity was held. This year, the income from the action will support life-saving and healthcare equipment at general paediatric wards, and will contribute to decent health care for seniors. The items donated for the auction included a medal commemorating the 1050 anniversary of Christianity in Poland, donated by Adam Bodnar, and a Christmas tree ball ornament hand-made by the CHR Office employees [link to the auction].

The CHR’s main activities to support senior persons: www.rpo.gov.pl/pl/content/osoby-starsze

The publication System wsparcia dla osób starszych w środowisku zamieszkania [Community support system for senior persons] may help all those who take decisions influencing public space design and the provision of public-sector services.

THE COMMISSIONER ON CITIZEN’S ISSUES

Will Warsaw residents whose debts were remitted by Warsaw municipal office have to pay tax? The Commissioner writes to the Minister of Development and Finance [more].

The Commissioner intervenes before the Minister of Health in the case of parents who spend time at their children’s beds in hospitals [more].

The CHR’s intervention relating to the lack of health care facilities carrying out abortion procedures in cases permitted by the law [more].

After receiving information about a beaten prisoner, the Penalties Team have taken action at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in the Warsaw district of Białołęka [more].

The Commissioner inquires: was the national 24-hour helpline for women - victims of gender-based violence and domestic violence launched on 1 January 2017? [more].

The CHR received a reply from the Chancellery of the Sejm with regard to withholding the distribution of three books on the nature of democracy [more].

The case of Ms Cecylia. The CHR’s cassation appeal against refusal, to a mother providing care to a child with a disability, of allowance for the second child [more].

LEGISLATION

The CHR writes to the chairman of the Sejm’s Legislative Committee with regard to the draft Act amending, among others, the provisions on company forfeiture [more].

The Commissioner concerned about the proposed amendments to introduce provisions extending the scope of personal data processing [more].

The draft Act on Water Law sparked great concern among Polish sailors, port owners and self-employed persons running businesses in Mazury lake district. The Commissioner intervenes before the Minister of the Environment [more].

Fees for vehicle towing in Łódź in 2016 were inconsistent with the law [more].

The Commissioner intervenes with regard to unequal treatment of women and men containing marriage at a young age [more].

THE CHRONICLE

The issue of physicians’ working time duration and its impact on the safety of patients was the main topic of the second meeting of the Expert Committee for Health, working at the CHR Office [more].