Poland - Universal Periodic Review

Session reviewed: 41st session of the Universal Periodic Review
Date reviewed: November 15, 2022

Recommendation

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Canada welcomes Poland’s efforts to advance the rights of people with disabilities, including through the adoption of Poland’s first Strategy for Persons with Disabilities which focuses on independent living, accessibility, education, work, living conditions and social protection, health, awareness building and coordination. Canada commends Poland and the Polish people for welcoming well over 1 million Ukrainian refugees this year.

Canada recommends that Poland:

1. Ensure that safe and legal abortions are available and accessible in practice, in keeping with the 1993 Act on Family Planning and amend article 152.2 of the polish Penal Code, which criminalizes any form of support to pregnant women seeking an abortion.
2. Amend the Penal Code to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex persons are fully protected against discrimination, hate speech, and hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
3. Amend articles 212 and 196 of the Penal Code to ensure the protection of freedom of expression and ensure the continued independence of media.