The 30th session of the Sejm brought crucial changes to Polish criminal law. Members voted on a bill extending protection against alleged hatred speech and hatred crimes. The amendment introduces 4 fresh conditions in the Criminal Code: sexual orientation, age, sex and disability. The project, which sparked a stormy debate, was adopted despite any opposition. What does this mean for citizens and what controversy does it create?
What is the amendment of the penal code?
The bill envisages extending the catalogue of hatred crimes to include fresh premises. From now on, public prosecution will besides cover acts motivated by discrimination based on sexual orientation, age, sex or disability. So far, the laws protected against hatred crimes motivated, among others, by national, ethnic, racial or spiritual affiliation.
Minister for Equality, Katarzyna Kotula, expressed her joy at the adoption of the Act:
"Protection Act against hatred Speech passed. The penal code will include fresh conditions – sexual orientation, age, gender, disability. This is the realization of the promise of a 15X coalition made to social organisations and I am glad that we could vote on this change together" – she wrote on the X platform.
Project controversy
The task sparked a heated debate in the Sejm. The PiS and Confederate clubs have opposed the changes, which accuse the government of attempting to introduce censorship. The Confederate Member, Karina Bosak, argued that the extension of the rules to defend sexual and sex orientation could lead to a regulation of freedom of expression:
“Censures towards everyone, in fact no substance what his intentions and intentions will be, due to the fact that everything – doubt, irony, does not should be vulgar.” – emphasised Bosak.
Politicians fear that the fresh rules will be interpreted in a recognised way, which could lead to abuse. "The scope of prohibited criticism will be completely vague and categorical. It will depend on individual views of prosecutors and judges" “Bosak added.
How did the Sejm vote?
238 MPs from KO, 3rd Way, fresh Left and Together voted in favour of the project. 182 parliamentarians voted against (PiS, Confederacy, close Republicans). In the PSL against the project, the Deputy Prime Minister and the head of the MON, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, besides opposed the PiS's motion to reject the bill in its entirety. Ms Marzena Okła-Drewnowicz abstained from voting at the KO Club.
What's next on the project?
The bill will now go to the Senate, where it will be subjected to further work. If it is accepted, it will enter into force after the president has signed. The amendment aims to increase the protection of groups exposed to discrimination, but its opponents fear that it may lead to restrictions on freedom of speech.
Summary
The revision of the Criminal Code is simply a step towards greater protection against discrimination, but besides a origin of controversy. For any it is the realization of promises made to social organizations, to others – a threat to freedom of speech. What will be the impact of the fresh legislation? Time will tell.
Continued here:
This is how Members voted on the word "politically incorrect"
