Name: The World Organisation Against Torture
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At a glance

In Poland, reports of excessive use of force by the police are frequent, including with electric discharge weapons against arrested persons who were handcuffed or otherwise immobilised, despite the fact that the law stipulates that force may be used only to ensure compliance with police orders. Those reports show that officers charged with offences are not sentenced and that persons who have suffered injuries by the police are mostly able to obtain justice only when applying to and receiving a judgment from the European Court of Human Rights. Minority groups are also targeted by violent repression in the country. Incidents of physical assault and hate speech against migrants from Africa, Asia and Arab countries and against Roma and Ukrainians are frequently reported. LGBTIQ+ persons are also victims of physical attacks or violence against their organisations’ offices. They rarely obtain justice, due to the lack of investigations and prosecutions. The OMCT reported the government’s tendency to reduce the space for the activities of non-governmental organisations, including those working on women’s or LGBTIQ+ rights.

Poland

At a glance

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