Thursday, July 30, 2020

Poland: Istanbul Convention sent to the Constitutional Court. PM: We have doubts

- As a government, we share the concerns related to the Istanbul Convention and we are concerned that the document may not be in line with the Polish constitution. I have decided to submit a request to the Constitutional Tribunal to review its compliance with the Constitution - said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference.

- Our government vigorously carries out tasks aimed at supporting and preventing victims of violence. Our government implemented the anti-violence law and significantly expanded the network of support centers for victims of violence, - said Prime Minister Morawiecki. - In the anti-violence act, we have made firm decisions and implemented provisions that the police supervision and possible eviction from home concerns the perpetrator and the aggressor, and not the victim. In this act, the victim is protected from beginning to end - he explained.
- There are many voices that it incorrectly defines the sources of violence against women and does not provide tools to combat it. These are very serious doubts. As a government, we share the concerns of Poles and we have the right to believe that it may be inconsistent with our Constitution in regards of freedom of opinion and the right to raise children in accordance with our conscience - he emphasized. 

- I have submitted a request to the Constitutional Court to review the constitutionality of the Istanbul Convention. Matters of such importance should be dealt with under a transparent and legally binding procedure - informed Mateusz Morawiecki. 

- I want to protest against the false thesis and manipulations that tell us that any movement related to the Istanbul Convention means consent to violence. This is an outrageous and unacceptable manipulation - he added.

Where are the "defenders of Polish Constitution" now? 'Deafening silence.'