A new proposal to extend Poland’s hate speech law faces harsh criticism from the judiciary, raising concerns over freedom of speech.
Proposed Expansion of Hate Speech Law
The Ministry of Justice in Poland has proposed a significant amendment to the Criminal Code aimed at extending the scope of hate speech. The draft law intends to include new categories such as disability, gender identity, and age, in addition to the current protections. According to the ministry, these changes are necessary to address the rise of discriminatory violence and ensure greater legal protection for vulnerable groups.
Criticism from Legal Bodies
Despite the ministry’s intentions, both the National Council of the Judiciary (KRS) and the Supreme Court (SN) have expressed strong opposition to the proposed changes. Critics argue that the law could lead to excessive censorship, limiting freedom of expression. Concerns have also been raised about the difficulty in defining hate speech in practice, which might create room for misuse in silencing controversial opinion.