UwB Law Department authorities removed the Polish flag from the building, due to the fact that it cannot be utilized by the Ukrainian flag

In fresh weeks before entering the building of the Faculty of Law of the University of Białystok, there have been changes in flag exposure. First, next to the Polish flag, there was a Ukrainian hanging, later it was replaced by a second Polish flag, and now there is no there. What happened to that decision?

Flag dispute: entrepreneur intervention or state holiday?

Belarusian entrepreneur Robert Kozicki acknowledged that he had appealed to the faculty authorities for a photograph of the Ukrainian flag. In his opinion, Ukraine inactive did not account for Volyn crimeAnd exposing her flag in a public place is inappropriate.

"I do not know if the flag was lifted immediately after my intervention, but it coincided with my appeal to the university authorities and I hope that my appeal contributed to the right decision" – he wrote on Facebook.

Kozicki emphasizes that his actions are not aimed at Ukrainians, but consequence from historical injuries. He had already intervened in this case from 2022 to 2023, but then he did not receive a response.

The university denies: “It is due to Flag Day”

Law Department They denythat the decision to change flags was linked to Kozicki's intervention. Explains Wojciech Kuczyński, Promotional specialist, the change was due to Flag Day RP (2 May)to item the national nature of the holiday.

“In connection with the upcoming Flag Day of the Republic of Poland, we decided to exposure 2 Polish flags” – explains Kuczyński.

Currently there is no flag in front of the building, but the university announces that the flag of Ukraine will return, but in another place. Analysis is ongoing where it should be placed to preserve gesture of solidarity with Ukrainewhile taking care of the appropriate vulnerability context.

The UwB Law Department authorities downloaded the Polish flag from the building, due to the fact that it cannot be accompanied by the Ukrainian flag 4

The UwB Law Department authorities downloaded the Polish flag from the building, due to the fact that it cannot bear the Ukrainian flag 5

The UwB Law Department authorities removed the Polish flag from the building, due to the fact that the Ukrainian flag cannot be hung by it 6

Will the case go to court?

Although Kozicki does not announce any further legal steps, akin disputes have been the subject of case law. In Poland the right to display state symbols regulates, among others, the bill on emblems, colours and anthem of the Polish Republic. In the case of flags of abroad states in the public space, the decision shall be the work of the managers of the object concerned, unless this is contrary to the rules.

International tribunals (e.g. European Court of Human Rights) in akin cases frequently indicate balance between freedom of expression and respect for national symbols. In this case, however, the flag has not been removed in a controversial way, but only in a transfer.

What's next on the UWB flags?

The university ensures that the flag of Ukraine won't vanish completelybut it will be moved to another place. Polish flags will be hung on the occasion State holidays. Will this solution satisfy all sides? Time will tell.

No legal basis

We remind that according to the Ministry of abroad Affairs regulation of 2005, placing abroad flags on Polish offices can only take place in exceptional situations – during global events or occasionally. For all city of the state institution and university where the flag of Ukraine is displayed, we powerfully emphasize that there is no legal basis for this flag to hang in these places for years. specified action on the basis of the abovementioned Regulation may be the basis for any authoritative liable for specified action under Article 231 k.k.