Poland: Rule of Law Erosion Harms Women, LGBT People
EU Action Needed to End Undermining of Institutions that Protect Rights

The government undermines the independence of the judiciary and has used a politically-compromised Constitutional Tribunal to effectively ban access to legal abortion. Government officials smear critical journalists and LGBT rights activists. Women’s and LGBT groups face threats and harassment and many local governments continue to label themselves as “LGBT Ideology Free Zones”. Poland admitted millions of people fleeing Ukraine, however border officials push back migrants and asylum seekers crossing from Belarus. Several people died in the woods around the Poland-Belarus border. A state of emergency prevented media access to the Belarus border. A rise in reported cases of domestic violence during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown highlighted the state failure to support prevention, adequate services and an appropriate police response.
EU Action Needed to End Undermining of Institutions that Protect Rights
Halt Summary Returns, Ensure Accountability For Abuse
Security Measures, Systems to Address Gender-Based Violence Urgently Needed
Public Demands End to Government Attacks on Rights
EU Action Needed to End Undermining of Institutions that Protect Rights
Targeting MP Escalates Attacks on Women’s Rights, Free Speech
Targeting Rights Defender for Aiding Abuse Victim Further Erodes Reproductive Rights
Polish Authorities Should Halt Summary Pushbacks of Migrants, Allow Access to Asylum Procedures
Violations by Hungary and Poland Should Be Addressed
Amend Act on Foreigners, Halt Summary Returns