The Polish Sejm has initiated the procedure to select a new Human Rights Ombudsman, with nominations accepted until June 23rd.
Selection Process Begins
The Sejm Marshal, Włodzimierz Czarzasty, announced the commencement of the candidate nomination process for the position of Human Rights Ombudsman. Nominations can be submitted until June 23rd, coinciding with the end of the current Ombudsman, Prof. Marcin Wiącek’s, term on July 23rd.
Nomination and Procedure Details
Marshal Czarzasty stated that the nomination process was initiated due to the expiration of Prof. Wiącek’s term on July 23rd. Eligible nominators include the Sejm Marshal or a group of 35 Sejm members.
Eligibility Requirements
According to the law, the Human Rights Ombudsman must be a Polish citizen with demonstrated legal expertise, professional experience, and high moral authority, alongside social sensitivity.
Appointment Process
The Sejm appoints the Ombudsman with the consent of the Senate, based on a nomination from the Sejm Marshal or a group of 35 Sejm members. The Sejm’s detailed procedure for nominating candidates is outlined in a Sejm resolution. The Sejm Marshal promptly forwards the appointment resolution to the Senate Marshal, which has one month to approve the nomination.
Term Length and Previous Selections
The Ombudsman’s term lasts five years, starting from the date of taking the oath before the Sejm. An individual cannot serve as Ombudsman for more than two terms.
Prof. Wiącek assumed the role of Human Rights Ombudsman on July 23, 2021, following six attempts to select a new Ombudsman after Adam Bodnar’s five-year term expired on September 9, 2020. Prior to Wiącek’s appointment, the Sejm twice rejected the candidacy of Zuzanna Rudzińska-Bluszcz, and the Senate did not consent to the appointments of Piotr Wawrzyk, Bartłomiej Wróblewski (both PiS MPs), and Lidia Staroń (independent Senator).