Human rights in Poland are enumerated in the second chapter of its Constitution, ratified in 1997. Poland is a party to several international agreements relevant to human rights, including the European Convention on Human Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Helsinki Accords, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Human rights in Poland are not always upheld in practice. From 1959 to 2019, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Poland violated human rights in 989 cases. In 2021, ILGA-Europe ranked Poland lowest in the European Union for protection of LGBT rights for the second year in a row.
Human rights in the Polish law
The Constitution of the Republic of Poland
The Polish Constitution specifies a variety of human and citizen's rights. The second chapter of the Constitution titled "The Freedoms, Rights and Obligations of Persons and Citizens" contains many articles informing about human rights in Poland. Among constitutional freedoms and rights are:
Article 14 - Freedom of the press and other means of social communication.
Article 21 - Protection of ownership and the right of succession.
Article 25 - Equal rights of churches and religious organisations.
Article 31
Legal protection of freedom of the person. Respect for freedoms and rights of others.
Article 32
Equality before the law of all persons and the right to equal treatment by public authorities. No discrimination in political, social or economic life for any reason whatsoever.
Article 33 - Equal rights of Polish citizens in family, political, social and economic life.
Article 34 - Right not to lose Polish citizenship by a Polish citizen.
Article 35 - Freedom to maintain and develop language and customs.
Article 36 - Right to protection by the Polish State while staying abroad.
Article 38 - Right to legal protection of the life of every human being.
Article 39 - Freedom from being subjected to scientific experimentation without voluntary consent.
Article 40 - Freedom from torture or cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 41 - Right to personal inviolability, security and liberty.
Article 42 - Right to defence.
Article 45 - Right to a fair and public hearing before a competent, impartial and independent court.
Article 47 - Right to legal protection of private and family life.
Article 48 - Right of parents to raise their children in accordance with their own convictions.
Article 50 - Right to inviolability of the home.
Article 51 - Right not to disclose personal information.
Article 52 - Freedom of movement and choice of place of residence.
Article 53 - Freedom of conscience and religion.
Article 54 - Freedom to express opinions.
Article 56 - Right to asylum in the Republic of Poland.
Article 57 - Freedom of peaceful assembly and participation.
Article 58 - Freedom of association.
Article 60 - Right of access to the public service based on the principle of equality.
Article 61 - Right to obtain information on the activities of public authorities.
Article 62 - Right to vote for Polish citizens who attained 18 years of age.
Article 63 - Right to submit petitions, proposals and complaints in the public interest.
Article 65 - Freedom to choose and to pursue occupation.
Article 66 - Right to safe and hygienic conditions of work.
Article 67 - Right to social security.
Article 68 - Right to protection of health.
Article 70 - Right to education.
Article 72 - Right to protection of the right of the child.
Article 73 - Freedom of artistic creation.
Article 80 - The right to apply to the Commissioner for Citizens' Rights for assistance in protection of freedoms or rights infringed by organs of public authority.