NGOs protest at new rules on public gatherings in Poland

The non-governmental organizations also called on President Andrzej Duda to veto the rules if they are voted through by parliament.

Government ministers have rejected claims that the changes limit civil rights.

Polish MPs on Friday gave an initial green light to rules that would ban counter-rallies from taking place in the same place as public assemblies.

The lower house of parliament, dominated by the conservative Law and Justice party which came to power in October last year, backed rules that give priority to gatherings organized by the authorities, churches and religious groups.

The bill will now be debated by the Senate, Poland’s upper house.

The 77 NGOs, including Amnesty International Poland and the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, said in a statement: "We do not consent to arbitrary and unwarranted restrictions on the freedom of citizens."

'Dictated by political considerations'

They added that the proposed change "seems to be dictated by political considerations and by what is convenient for the authorities."

Government spokesman Rafał Bochenek on Monday insisted that all legal changes that the government is introducing are democratic, adding that the proposed rules on public gatherings "are conducive to assemblies by citizens."

'Law about resolving social conflicts'

Before last Friday’s vote in parliament, Interior Minister Mariusz Błaszczak said the changes would not restrict civil rights.

"This is a law about resolving social conflicts," he said.

"It does not make sense for two groups to demonstrate in one place at the same time. That would lead to confrontation, to brawls," Błaszczak added.

(pk)

Source: PAP