The Ombudsman for Children in Poland was established by the Law on the Ombudsman
for Children passed on January 6, 2000. Implemented therewith was art. 72
par. 4 of The Constitution of The Republic of Poland.
On the basis of art. 4 par. 1 of the
Law on the Ombudsman
for Children
Polish Parliament passed a resolution on June 8, 2000 whereby it appointed
Dr Marek Piechowiak the Ombudsman for Children.
Since that time, the following Ombudsmen held the office:
Mr Paweł Jaros October 2000- April 2006
Mrs Ewa Sowińska April 2006 - till now
The Ombudsman for Children takes steps to ensure complete and harmonious
development for children with due respect for their dignity and empowerment
(art. 3 of the Law on the Ombudsman for Children).The main directions of
action are defined by the Law on the Ombudsman for Children which puts particular
emphasis on (art. 3 par. 2):
- the right to live and to healthcare
- the right to a family upbringing
- the right to adequate social conditions
- the right to education
According to the Law, the Ombudsman shall also take appropriate action to
protect children against violence, cruelty, exploitation, depravation, neglect
and other maltreatment. To further the goal of comprehensive and harmonious
development of children it is essential that a comprehensive approach be
adopted to children’s rights. Comprehensiveness of the approach to children’s
welfare is one of the distinctive features of the office of the Ombudsman
for Children.
The principles which the Ombudsman for Children follows include:
- the welfare principle (any action that is taken shall be taken with
regard to the child’s best interest)
- the equality principle (equal care shall be taken to further the full
development of each and every child and particular attention shall be given
to children who need more to attain that level of development).
- the principle of respect for parents’ rights and duties pertaining
to caring for their child’s development and upbringing.
The direct addressees of The Ombudsman’s action are organs of the public
authorities, organisations and institutions to which the Ombudsman for Children
may turn with the request for (art. 10):
- explanation and necessary information and also access to files and
documents including those containing personal information;
- undertaking action for the benefit of children within their range of
competence;
- the Ombudsman for Children may approach them and submit his opinions
and motions aimed at the effective protection of the child’s rights and welfare
(art. 11).
The Ombudsman for Children may also turn to appropriate organs and submit
a motion to take legislative initiative or to issue or alter other legal
regulations (art. 11 par. 2). Another of the Ombudsman’s instruments is providing
information about a child’s situation and suggesting concrete solutions.
The Ombudsman undertakes action foreseen by the law of his own initiative,
paying special attention to information pointing to violation of a child’s
rights or welfare (art. 9). The Ombudsman for Children shall submit annual
reports to Parliament on his actions and opinions as concern respecting children’s
rights. The Ombudsman’s report shall be published (art. 12).
Establishment of the office of Ombudsman for Children with his competencies
has greatly enriched the set of instruments protecting children’s rights.
The instruments of intervention accessible to the Ombudsman for Children
are so-called “soft” instruments. They resemble the instruments at the disposal
of international organs responsible for the supervising of the implementation
of treaty obligations referring to human rights, e.g. the UN Committee on
the Rights of the Child.
Address:
Children Ombudsman Bureau
ul. ¦niadeckich 10
00-656 Warsaw, Poland
Tel. (48 22) 696 55 44
Fax. (48 22) 629 60 79
e-mail: rpd@brpd.gov.pl
Director of the Office
Agnieszka Komar-Morawska
Tel. (48 22) 696 55 55
e-mail: agnieszka.komar@brpd.gov.pl
International Cooperation Division
Tomasz G±siorowski
Tel. (48 22) 696 55 42
e-mail: tomasz.gasiorowski@brpd.gov.pl