The Assault on Democracy in Poland Continues with New Law to Bar People from Public Office

Poland Passes a New Law to Bar People from Public Office, Worsening the Country’s Rule of Law Backsliding

On May 31, 2023, Poland enacted a new law that establishes a commission with the authority to investigate “Russian influence” in the country from 2007 to 2022. The commission can also ban people from public office without judicial oversight, including elected officials, public officials, judges, and members of the military, among others, as well as journalists and civil society organizations deemed acting under Russian influence. Human Rights Watch has criticized the law and called for its repeal, arguing that it is undemocratic, undermines the rule of law, and violates EU law. Furthermore, critics have expressed concerns that the ruling party may use this law to discredit opposition politicians, notably former Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and consolidate power before the national elections in late 2023.

Protests in Poland and International Criticism

The law has garnered national and international backlash, with tens of thousands of people protesting against it. Critics contend that the ruling party has been backsliding on democratic values since it came to power in 2015, and this law marks yet another assault on democracy. The EU and the US have both voiced their concern and criticized the law. The European Commission has launched infringement proceedings against Poland for its crackdown on judicial independence, frozen EU and Covid recovery funds due to rule of law concerns, and frozen funds to regions and municipalities in Poland that declared themselves “LGBT Ideology Free” zones.

Human Rights Watch’s Recommendation

Human Rights Watch has called on Poland to repeal the law in its entirety. Additionally, the organization has urged the European Commission to initiate infringement proceedings against Poland for this latest assault on democracy. Human Rights Watch Senior Europe and Central Asia Researcher, Lydia Gall, said that “it should be beyond any doubt to the Commission that Warsaw’s latest antics fly in the face of the very values the Commission is obliged to protect… The Commission should honor the hundreds of thousands of protesters clamoring for democracy and call on Poland to repeal this shameful law.”

Conclusion: Upholding Democratic Values in Poland

Poland‘s new law signals yet another attack on democracy by the ruling party and underscores the need for international action to uphold democratic values in the country. The EU, the US, and other international actors must remain vigilant in holding Poland accountable for its democratic backsliding and take appropriate measures to protect the rule of law and prevent similar attacks on democracy in other parts of the world. As citizens of democracies, we must also do our part in upholding democratic values and call on our governments to take action in moments like these when democracy is threatened.