Commissioner for Human Rights on Protests and Restrictions on Women’s Rights

We ask Adam Bodnar how our rights are faring in Poland. Why it is worth fighting for them, changing the world, making choices for our health and well-being, and how to be ourselves.

Adam Bodnar is a lawyer and academic teacher, a postdoctoral habilitated doctor of legal sciences, a university professor at SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Warsaw, a human rights activist, vice-president of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights from 2010 to 2015, and Commissioner for Human Rights since 2015.

Adam Bodnar:

The Constitution does not define when life begins. It only speaks of the protection of life.

Doctors will not have the courage to perform abortions. Every doctor will become a target of attacks.

This affects less affluent women the most. Those who are wealthy manage and look for alternatives.

Lowering the retirement age means that pensions are becoming increasingly lower. There are fewer and fewer working people.

If we had invested in education, we would have had greater economic development and prosperity.

Less affluent couples do not have access to in vitro. Wealthier couples go to a clinic and have no major problem. For ideological reasons, the state abolished funding for in vitro.

When it comes to civil rights and freedoms, we are at a crossroads. On the one hand, we have many rights, but on the other hand, the authorities restrict our rights in various ways.

Yesterday, during Polish-American talks, the American side stressed that, in addition to energy and the military, democratic institutions, the rule of law and human rights are important to it.

We need to reflect on why we introduced democracy and adopted the Constitution. Let us return to our roots and consider which direction we are heading in.

I have the impression that this government believes that we know best and everyone has to adapt.

How can we talk to the prime minister when we do not know who makes the decisions?

It is very important that parties seeking power clearly tell citizens: we want to talk to you.

The opposition did not engage in a discussion about abortion; it focused on the protests.

Let us remember that in the present times, solidarity with the persecuted and support for everyone trying to create a space where civil freedoms can be exercised are important.