A new report by the Lawyers for Poland Association delivers a stark warning to international audiences: Poland’s rule of law is facing a deep and accelerating crisis. Titled “A Band of Robbers or a Shining City on a Hill?”, the publication documents what its authors describe as a pattern of unlawful actions by state authorities following the change in government in December 2023.
Drawing on analyses by judges, prosecutors, and legal scholars, the report alleges the instrumental use of criminal law for political purposes, including the detention of opposition lawmakers, pressure on independent judges and prosecutors, and the continued operation of parliamentary inquiry committees despite rulings by Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal questioning their legality. One emblematic case examined in detail concerns the detention and forced conveyance of former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, which the authors argue lacked a valid legal basis and violated constitutional guarantees of personal liberty.
Beyond high-profile political cases, the report highlights broader human rights concerns: restrictions on media access, disciplinary actions against dissenting legal professionals, and state failures in protecting family life and fundamental freedoms. The authors contend that these actions collectively undermine judicial independence, legal certainty, and public trust in democratic institutions.
Invoking St. Augustine’s famous question – “What are kingdoms without justice, if not great robberies?” – the editors frame their work as both a legal indictment and a moral appeal. Their stated aim is to alert opinion-makers in Europe and the United States to developments they believe are being overlooked or downplayed abroad, and to urge renewed scrutiny of Poland’s adherence to constitutional and European legal standards.
Readers interested in the documented cases, legal analysis, and primary sources are strongly encouraged to read the full report attached below this article.