Human Rights

Belarusian opposition activists receive Polish distinction

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (R) and Volha Kovalkova (L) were presented the award at a ceremony in Wrocław, south-western Poland, on Friday night. On behalf of Maria Kolesnikova, who has been imprisoned in Belarus, the award was received by her sister. Maciej Kulczyński/PAP

Three Belarusian opposition activists have received Poland's Jan Nowak-Jeziorański Award for their fight for human rights.

President meets key Belarus opposition leader

President Andrzej Duda met with Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on Wednesday for talks on the continuing political repression in Belarus.

Prolongation of Poland's ombudsman's term ruled unconstitutional

A law stating that the outgoing human rights commissioner may perform his duties until a replacement is chosen is inconsistent with the Constitution, Poland's top court ruled on Thursday.

Poland urges Russia to respect human rights in Crimea

The Polish foreign minister, speaking at a UN panel discussion, urged Moscow to respect human and minority rights in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

Helsinki Foundation intervenes over application of abortion ruling

The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (HFHR) has said it is interceding in the matter of Polish hospitals applying a ruling by the Constitutional Tribunal (TK) banning abortions on the grounds of foetal damage even though the ruling has not been published.

Ambassadors accredited in Poland support LGBT community in open letter

Several dozen ambassadors in an open letter co-ordinated by the Belgian Embassy in Poland expressed support for the efforts aimed at raising social awareness about the problems affecting the LGBT community.

Polish FM vows continued support for Belarus at HRC's special session

Poland will continue to support Belarusian society in its pursuit of the full use of fundamental freedoms and its determination to live in a democratic country, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau told the UN Human Rights Council's Friday debate on Belarus.

Polish, Lithuanian presidents jointly appeal to Belarusian authorities

The Polish and Lithuanian presidents have appealed to the Belarusian authorities to fully recognise and observe democratic standards, to stop violence, and to respect fundamental freedoms and human and civil rights.

UN rights commissioner concerned about Polish judiciary bill

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Friday expressed concern with the Polish ruling party's draft disciplinary legislation aimed at judges, which according to the commissioner "risks further jeopardising the independence of the judiciary in Poland."

Over 370,000 letters from Poland in Amnesty International marathon

Over 370,000 letters in the defence of people whose rights have been infringed were written in Poland as part of a global letter writing marathon organised by Amnesty International (AI), the organisation said on Thursday.

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