Adam Borowski is establishing the office of a civic ombudsman. The initiative is intended to bring together lawyers who will provide assistance to people harmed by the authorities. Further details of the decision are due to be announced on TV Republika on Sunday.
On Friday, the Sejm appointed Sylwia Gregorczyk-Abram, known for her involvement with the “Wejście” group, as Poland’s Commissioner for Human Rights. Her candidacy received the support of 233 MPs. Before the candidate nominated by the Civic Coalition and the Left can take office, however, she must still secure the approval of the Senate. According to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, she will “certainly” receive that support.
A total of 433 MPs took part in the vote, with an absolute majority set at 217 votes.
Gregorczyk-Abram received the required majority of 233 votes. The second candidate, Adam Borowski, nominated by Law and Justice, received 177 votes. All participating MPs from the Civic Coalition, the Left, the Centre and Poland 2050 voted in favour of Gregorczyk-Abram. Among MPs from the Polish People’s Party-Third Way, only Marek Sawicki voted against her candidacy; he also opposed Borowski’s appointment.
Borowski’s candidacy was supported by Law and Justice MPs, with the exception of Jan Warzecha, who did not vote for either candidate, as well as MPs from the Democracy parliamentary group. Twenty-three MPs voted against both candidates, including all participating MPs from Confederation, Confederation of the Polish Crown and the Together parliamentary group.
The result of the vote does not mean that the legendary anti-communist opposition activist is giving up. On the contrary, he intends to remain actively involved in defending civil rights.
Borowski to become a civic ombudsman
It is now known that Adam Borowski will announce today in the TV Republika studio that he is establishing the office of a civic ombudsman.
According to information obtained by TV Republika, Borowski believes that the office of the Commissioner for Human Rights has been discredited by the governing coalition through the appointment of individuals who contradict the very principles the institution is supposed to represent. He therefore intends to assemble a group of lawyers who will support people harmed by the authorities.
Law and Justice MP Patryk Wicher, speaking on TV Republika, did not hide his satisfaction with the decision.
“Mr Adam has always been a great authority for me. He is a man who carries the ideals of ‘God, honour and homeland’ in both his heart and his actions. He is a genuine person. I am pleased that Mr Adam has decided to exercise civic oversight. This will provide public scrutiny of any distortions introduced by the new commissioner,”
he said.
Viewers are encouraged to watch TV Republika today to learn more about Adam Borowski’s initiative. Further details are expected to be presented on how the civic ombudsman’s office will operate.