Poland restricts public meetings

Opposition and EU politicians condemn attack on right to freedom of assembly

Jaroslaw Kaczynski attends a pro-government demonstration to mark the 35th anniversary of the martial law in Warsaw. Photograph: Kacper Pempel/Reuters

Poland’s conservative parliament has passed a law restricting public meetings, which that has been slammed by the opposition as anti-democratic.

The legislation, passed late on Tuesday, introduces the concept of “periodic meetings” for rallies organised repeatedly in the same place and on the same date, giving such gatherings priority over other meetings. Under the new law, unrelated meetings must take place at least 100 metres (yards) away from any meeting designated “periodic”.

The ruling rightwing Law and Justice (PiS) party said the law would boost the security of participants at all gatherings by preventing clashes. But opposition lawmakers said the rules prevented “street dialogue” and restricted freedom of speech. They claim the law will allow PiS to organise a monthly meeting, protected from counter-protests, to commemorate the 2010 Smolensk plane crash.

Ninety-six people died including the country’s president, Lech Kaczyński, who was the twin brother of leader of PiS, Jarosław Kaczyński.

Last Saturday, the 80th such ceremony outside the presidential palace in Warsaw was slightly disturbed by an opposition rally.

The bill that was ultimately adopted did however shed provisions that would have given priority to rallies organised by the state and religious organisations.

Opposition politicians and rights activists claimed that the original proposals restricted fundamental rights and freedoms. European lawmakers joined Polish opposition politicians in criticising the law. “Yesterday was a sad day for Polandbecause now there is a new law governing protests which limits the right of assembly,” said Polish MEP Janusz Lewandowski in Strasbourg.

“Like all other EU citizens, Poles have the right to an independent judiciary ... Polish women have freedom of choice and Poles have the right to freedom of assembly, expression and thought,” said Dutch MEP Sophia in ’t Veld.

Tens of thousands of Poles took to the streets across the country to protest against the PiS government on Tuesday, the 35th anniversary of martial law in communist-ruled Poland.

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