STATEMENT
41st UPR Session of the Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in Poland, as delivered by Ms Jannicke Graatrud, Minister, Deputy Permanent Representative.
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15 November 2022
President,
Norway appreciates Poland's efforts to receive Ukrainian refugees.
[Norway is concerned by developments in Poland relating to the rule of law and judicial independence and respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights.]
Norway recommends that Poland:
1) ensures swift implementation of the relevant ECJ [European Court of Justice] and ECHR [European Court of Human Rights] judgments and the recommendations of the European Commission’s Rule of Law Report to safeguard the rule of law and the independence of the Polish judiciary;
2) adopts a legal framework that fosters a free, independent and pluralistic media, and ensures the protection of journalists from persecution, intimidation and harassment;
3) significantly improves women’s rights by implementing initiatives to prevent domestic and gender-based violence, by changing the legal definition of rape and by reversing the restrictive new abortion law;
4) implements legal and administrative reforms to ensure non-discrimination and full inclusion [into society] of LGBTIQ persons, including combating hate speech and hate crimes, providing legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, legal gender recognition and gender-affirming healthcare for transgender people.
Thank you.