Tusk Dissolves Commission Investigating Repression Against Civil Society Organizations After 1,600-Page Report

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has liquidated the commission investigating repressions against civil society organizations between 2015 and 2023, following the completion of its 1,600-page report.

The Commission on Repressions Against Social Organizations Has Been Dissolved

On Friday, an ordinance by Prime Minister Donald Tusk was published in Monitor Polski dissolving the commission to clarify the mechanisms of repression against civil society organizations and social activists in the years 2015–2023. The commission finished its work in June, and a report was submitted to the prime minister.

The commission was appointed in the spring of last year by order of the Prime Minister and was an auxiliary body to the head of government. It officially began operations on May 5 of last year, when its 11 members received nominations from the then-head of the Ministry of Justice. The commission was headed by attorney Sylwia Gregorczyk-Abram, whom the Sejm appointed as the Ombudsman in mid-July.

The Final Report Exceeds 1,600 Pages

At the end of June, the Ministry of Justice announced that the commission had completed its work and a report numbering over 1,600 pages had been delivered to the prime minister. On Friday, the prime minister’s decree dissolving the commission was published in Monitor Polski.

What Mechanisms of Repression Were Described in the Report?

The Ministry of Justice indicated at the time that the publication prepared by the commission is a synthesis of conclusions from three earlier partial reports. According to the Ministry of Justice, these described the methods and mechanisms “that civil society experienced in the years 2015–2023.”

Public Media, SLAPP Lawsuits, and Gatherings

In this context, the following were mentioned: repressions by public media; SLAPP-type repressions (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation), which are strategic lawsuits aimed at combating civic participation in public life; and repressions against gatherings.

Over 70 Pages of Recommendations for the Government

According to the Ministry of Justice, the experiences described in the report show “how easily the guarantees of civil rights and freedoms can be weakened when there are no effective control mechanisms, independent institutions, and systemic safeguards against the abuse of power.” Therefore, the ministry stated that “the key part” of the publication prepared by the commission consists of over 70 pages of recommendations. Their purpose—it was pointed out—is not only to respond to specific, documented violations, but above all to “rebuild mechanisms that will effectively protect citizens from the renewed, political use of state institutions for anti-democratic purposes.”

Ministries Received the Commission’s Recommendations

As the Ministry of Justice reported, the recommendations were sent to the appropriate ministries, which reviewed them and presented their positions to the commission, which were also included in the final report.

When Will the Report Be Published?

The Ministry of Justice stated at the end of June that the final report on the commission’s work will be published “in the near future, in accordance with the decision of the Prime Minister.” The commission expressed hope that the conclusions contained in the report “will translate into concrete changes that will effectively secure and strengthen civil society against possible repression by public authorities.”