Norwegian recommendations in UPR on Poland 30 May
Norway thanks the Polish delegation for presenting its national report. We welcome the achievements made in the protection of human rights and we commend Poland’s dedication to the UPR process.
We recognize that efforts are being made to fight discrimination, not least through the December 2010 legislation providing definitions of direct and indirect discrimination and differential treatment. Norway recommends that the Ombudsperson’s office, which is responsible under the legislation for assisting alleged victims of discrimination and conducting independent research and issuing recommendations to achieve equal treatment, - is provided with the additional financial resources necessary in to fulfill its new obligations.
With regards to the sexual and reproductive rights of women, Norway recommends that Poland as a minimum ensures that women can access lawful abortion by creating clear, legally binding regulations for the implementation of the 1993 Family Planning Act.
We also recommend that Poland considers signing and ratifying the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
While recognizing the diverse media landscape and vibrant public debate in Poland, Norway takes note that concerns have been raised about the existence of art. 212 of the Polish Penal Code, criminalizing defamation. We recommend that this article is reviewed with the aim of removing it from the Penal Code.
Norway’s Advance Questions for Poland
· What measures are being taken to review art.212 of the Polish Penal Code that criminalizes defamation?
· What measures are being taken to review the 1984 Press law in order to attune it to the new media reality of internet, etc.?
· Where does Poland stand in regards to ensuring that women can access lawful abortion by creating clear, legally binding regulations for the implementation of the 1993 Family Planning Act?
· What measures are being taken in order for Poland to ratify Protocol 12 to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms on Discrimination?