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New Minister of Education and Science sworn in amid controversy over his homophobic statements and anti-Semitic sympathies
Przemysław Czarnek, a member of the ruling Law and Justice party known for his homophobic statements and anti-Semitic sympathies, has been sworn in as the new Minister of Education and Science. The...
19-10-2020 15:22 -
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Poland's largest stadium to be turned into an emergency field hospital
To cope with a rapid spike in Covid-19 cases, the government is turning the National Stadium in Warsaw into an emergency field hospital. The first 500 beds are planned to be made available by the end...
19-10-2020 12:09 -
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New coronavirus restrictions: Warsaw becomes a "red zone", high schools and universities go remote
We need to hit the brake and reduce our social interactions to a minimum- urged the Minister of Health, Adam Niedzielski. On Thursday, the Polish government announced further restrictions and...
16-10-2020 14:00 -
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Government tries to shift responsibility for a failed coronavirus response onto medical workers: smear campaign in public media
On Tuesday, the Deputy Prime Minister, Jacek Sasin, has accused medical workers of negligence. Responding to the allegations, medical workers are now urging politicians and pro-government media to...
15-10-2020 17:57 -
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Poland extends ban on incoming international passenger flights. Updated list of countries covered by restrictions
The new regulation on international passenger air traffic suspends incoming flights from 29 countries. The list has just been updated. Poland is now also closed for all incoming passengers from...
15-10-2020 10:57 -
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European judges declare solidarity with Beata Morawiec, urge Brussels to take legal action
Responding to the decision of the politicized Disciplinary Chamber of the Polish Supreme Court to revoke the judicial immunity of Judge Beata Morawiec, three international associations of judges...
14-10-2020 17:35 -
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Kaczyński threatens to veto EU budget over the rule of law conditionality. Brussels responds
The leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice party, Jarosław Kaczyński, has threatened to veto the EU budget and coronavirus recovery package. Brussels, however, reaffirms its conviction that the...
14-10-2020 13:33 -
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The Venice Commission is concerned by the risk of paralysis of the Ombudsman institution of Poland [STATEMENT]
"A situation where the institution of the Human Rights Commissioner is prevented from functioning fully and effectively pending the election by parliament of a new Commissioner would have a...
13-10-2020 16:40 -
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The politicized Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court revokes the immunity of Judge Beata Morawiec
The Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court agreed to start criminal proceedings against Judge Beata Morawiec. Its decision to revoke a judge's immunity is unprecedented. The decision is not...
13-10-2020 16:12 -
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Norway grants political asylum to a Polish citizen persecuted by the government
Rafał Gaweł, the co-founder of the TrzyRzecze theatre in Białystok and the Centre for Monitoring Racist and Xenophobic Activities, who was sentenced by a Polish court to two years in prison for fraud...
12-10-2020 18:06 -
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The Economist: "Polish state-owned petrol company Orlen eyes the regional press market for potential takeover targets"
Continuing the ruling camp's plan to undermine media independence in Poland, the state-run petrol retailer, PKN Orlen, seeks to take over 20 regional newspapers owned by the publisher Polska Press-...
12-10-2020 12:28 -
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A letter from the Polish Ambassador in Berlin to his Ukrainian counterpart leads to a diplomatic scandal
A controversial letter from the Polish ambassador to Germany, professor Andrzej Przyłębski, resulted in a diplomatic scandal in Berlin and Kyiv. The future of a Berlin monument commemorating Polish...
09-10-2020 15:03 -
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Coronavirus in Poland: Record spike in new daily cases, shortage of beds, ventilators, and medical staff, tightened restrictions in the entire country
On Thursday, Poland has reported over 4 200 cases of coronavirus infection, setting another new single-day record. Many hospitals, facing increased pressure under the rapid spike in new cases, report...
08-10-2020 17:34 -
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Landmark court ruling prohibits workplace discrimination against transgender people
In an unprecedented ruling, the District Court in Warsaw decided that workplace discrimination against transgender people is illegal. The decision is legally binding.
07-10-2020 19:47 -
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EU Parliament VP Katarina Barley: Respect for the rule of law is not a sovereign matter of any single member state. It concerns the entire Union [EXCLUSIVE]
"Do we want the Member States to face financial consequences for breaching the rule of law? Absolutely. But it is the governments, not the citizens, who should carry the burden" - says Katarina...
07-10-2020 14:05 -
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European values are not for sale: A message from EU Parliament leaders to Kaczyński and Orbán
"It is critical that we stand by the commitment to tie funding to the rule of law and not bend to pressure from national governments who resist it" - Leaders of the four largest political groups in...
06-10-2020 23:24 -
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European Parliament criticizes watered-down "rule of law mechanism", pushes Germany to revamp its draft proposal
Members of the European Parliament warned they will not support a mechanism linking EU funds to respect for the rule of law if it is merely symbolic or focuses on financial corruption alone. -All of...
06-10-2020 14:24 -
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Hundreds protest against the newly-appointed Minister of Education. "We don't want a homophobic minister"
- The school must be a safe space for all children, regardless of their gender or sexual identity. Przemysław Czarnek, the new Minister of Education, cannot guarantee that it is so - said the Razem...
05-10-2020 18:13 -
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Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summons US ambassador Mosbacher regarding her criticism of the ruling camp's homophobic policies
The US ambassador to Poland, Georgette Mosbacher, was summoned by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss her recent criticism of the ruling camp's homophobic policies.
05-10-2020 13:13 -
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LGBT activist sued over bringing public attention to homophobic resolutions adopted by local authorities
The commune of Tuszów Narodowy filed a lawsuit against Bart Staszewski, an LGBT activist. After the commune passed the anti-LGBT declaration, Staszewski hung an "LGBT Free Zone" plaque right next to...
05-10-2020 09:31 -
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Record number of new coronavirus infections. Ministry of Health speaks of an "escalating pandemic"
On Thursday, the Polish Ministry of Health reported nearly 2.000 new coronavirus cases. An absolute record. The list of "red zones" now includes popular holiday destinations such as Sopot and...
02-10-2020 10:06 -
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Names of LGBTI teens bullied into suicide spray-painted on the building of the Ministry of Education
Names of teenagers who committed suicide after being subjected to homophobic harassment were anonymously spray-painted outside the building of the Ministry of Education. Instead of addressing the...
01-10-2020 11:56 -
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Cabinet reshuffle: Kaczyński appointed deputy PM
Fourteen cabinet positions and only one filled by a woman - PM Morawiecki officially introduced his new government. The ministers will be sworn in next week.
01-10-2020 07:10 -
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EU publishes annual Rule of Law Report: Poland under heavy criticism
The European Commission published its annual report on the rule of law situation in the European Union. The Chapter on Poland leaves no room for doubt- the situation is serious.
30-09-2020 16:29 -
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Germany proposes a revised "rule of law mechanism" for accessing EU budget. Poland and Hungary threaten to block Recovery Fund
Germany proposed a compromise for accessing the EU budget: a stronger link between payments and the rule of law, but a more lenient approach to suspending funds.
30-09-2020 12:46 -
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Distinguished scholars and legal experts urge the European Commission to act on Poland's violation of the rule of law [OPEN LETTER]
"The Commission is failing to project any sense of urgency, while Polish authorities continue to openly abuse, harass and intimidate judges and prosecutors who are seeking to defend the rule of law"....
29-09-2020 15:45 -
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Nigerian teen faces 10 years in prison for blasphemy. Head of Auschwitz Memorial offers to serve part of his sentence
Auschwitz Memorial director, Piotr Cywiński, wrote a letter to the President of Nigeria asking him to pardon a 13-year-old boy sentenced to 10 years in prison for blasphemy. Mr. Cywiński offered to...
29-09-2020 10:58 -
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A coalition deal shrouded in mystery: What we know about the cabinet reshuffle
On Saturday, leaders of the ruling coalition signed a long sought-after agreement. While its details have not been made available to the public, officials speak of changes in personnel, ministerial...
28-09-2020 16:55 -
There is no freedom without solidarity
