NCJ Number
129604
Journal
Capital University Law Review Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Dated: (Summer 1989) Pages: 175-183
Date Published
1989
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This analysis of human rights issues in Poland concludes that the current situation regarding the recognition of human rights is inconsistent and confusing, which is similar to the nature of contemporary Polish society.
Abstract
Poland has adopted the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the United Nations Covenants on Economic, Social, Cultural, Civil, and Political Rights; and other international standards on human rights. The Polish Constitution recognizes these basic human rights. However, it also emphasizes that social and political rights are equally important and emphasizes citizen responsibilities as well as rights, reflecting its socialist ideology. These ideological factors tend to dilute the legal protection of human rights. In addition, restrictions exist on freedom in voting, expression, and publication. Furthermore, criminal law is unduly harsh in its penalties, punishes offenses against social property more severely than offenses against private property, gives the public prosecutor extensive powers, and does not generally recognize an exclusionary rule. Thus, Polish society narrowly recognizes the concept of human rights and tends to place more importance on social and economic values than on individual values. Footnotes