International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

UNITED NATIONS CCPR International covenant Distr. on civil and GENERAL political rights CCPR/C/POL/2004/5 26 January 2004 Original: ENGLISH HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 40 OF THE COVENANT Fifth periodic report POLAND* [13 January 2004] * The report is issued unedited, in compliance with the wish expressed by the Human Rights Committee at its sixty-sixth session in July 1999. GE.04-40173 (E) 040504 CCPR/C/POL/2004/5 page 2 CONTENTS Page PART I New Constitution ........................................................................................................................... 7 Provisions of the Covenant in the light of constitutional principles.............................................. 8 International obligations of the Republic of Poland in the area of human rights in the period under consideration ........................................................................................................... 9 PART II ARTICLE 1 – PEOPLES' RIGHT OF SELF-DETERMINATION................................................................... 12 ARTICLE 2 – IMPLEMENTATION IN THE DOMESTIC LEGAL ORDER. PROHIBITION OF DISCRIMINATION.. 12 Prohibition of discrimination ............................................................................................... 12 Protection granted by courts ................................................................................................ 13 Ombudsman.......................................................................................................................... 15 Direct application of the Covenant....................................................................................... 15 Possibility of the use of international mechanisms of legal protection ................................ 15 Human rights training programmes for representatives of public authorities..................... 16 Dissemination of the knowledge on human rights and their implementation in the society......................................................................................................................... 19 ARTICLE 3 – EQUAL STATUS OF WOMEN AND MEN............................................................................. 20 Political life .......................................................................................................................... 21 Participation of women in the Parliament.................................................................................. 21 Participation of women in local self-government ...................................................................... 23 Participation of women in the Government and local organs of government administration .... 23 Participation of women in other major organs and decision making bodies.............................. 23 Economic and social life....................................................................................................... 23 Prohibition of discrimination at the stage of employment ......................................................... 26 Protection of pregnant women................................................................................................... 26 Maternity leave.......................................................................................................................... 28 Child rearing leave..................................................................................................................... 28 Remuneration............................................................................................................................. 30 Old-age pensions.................................................................................................................. 33 ARTICLE 4 – PUBLIC EMERGENCY .................................................................................................... 33 ARTICLE 5 – PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE COVENANT...................... 35 ARTICLE 6 – RIGHT TO LIFE............................................................................................................. 35 Abolition of the death penalty............................................................................................... 35 Prohibition of killing ............................................................................................................ 36 Creating conditions for a dignified life ................................................................................ 36 Abortion................................................................................................................................ 38 Family planning, sexual education and access to contraceptives ........................................ 39 CCPR/C/POL/2004/5 page 3 CONTENTS (continued) Page ARTICLE 7 – PROHIBITION OF TORTURE ........................................................................................... 41 National Remembrance Institute (IPN) ................................................................................ 41 Elimination of the abuse of junior soldiers – the so-called wave phenomenon.................... 42 Aliens detained at border checkpoints at airports................................................................ 45 ARTICLE 8 – PROHIBITION OF SLAVERY ............................................................................................ 47 Prohibition of forced or compulsory labour – exceptions.................................................... 47 Labour of persons deprived of liberty .................................................................................. 47 Trafficking in human beings................................................................................................. 48 Police ....................................................................................................................................... 52 Border Guard ............................................................................................................................. 54 ARTICLE 9 – LIBERTY AND SECURITY OF PERSON .............................................................................. 55 Preliminary detention........................................................................................................... 55 Sobering-up centres.............................................................................................................. 58 Compensation....................................................................................................................... 59 Independent system of monitoring........................................................................................ 60 Civil security......................................................................................................................... 61 Domestic violence................................................................................................................. 62 Violence against children ..................................................................................................... 67 Sexually motivated crimes .................................................................................................... 69 ARTICLE 10 – RIGHT OF DETAINEES TO BE TREATED WITH HUMANITY AND DIGNITY ........................... 70 Penitentiary supervision and monitoring ............................................................................. 71 Right to submit petitions, complaints and requests .............................................................. 74 The question of violations of the law by officers of the Prison Service, the Police and other services........................................................................................................................ 75 Size of cells ........................................................................................................................... 76 General conditions of stay of prisoners................................................................................ 78 Conditions in police rooms for arrested persons ................................................................. 79 Remand houses and shelters for minors – Institutions for minors........................................ 80 ARTICLE 11 – PROHIBITION OF DETENTION FOR DEBT ...................................................................... 82 ARTICLE 12 – FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT........................................................................................... 82 The Law of 13 June 2003 on Aliens...................................................................................... 83 The Law of 13 June 2003 on Granting Protection to Aliens within the Territory of Poland 86 Refugee status............................................................................................................................ 86 Asylum ...................................................................................................................................... 89 Tolerated stay ............................................................................................................................ 89 Temporary protection ................................................................................................................ 90 CCPR/C/POL/2004/5 page 4 CONTENTS (continued) Page Repatriation.......................................................................................................................... 90 Statistical information .........................................................................................................

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