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Ombudsman Adam Bodnar
Polish public TV has brought a lawsuit against Adam Bodnar as an individual in response to a statement he made on the topical issue of hate speech in his function as Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of Poland.
Commissioner Bodnar has repeatedly come under pressure in the last three years. Supporting Ombudsman colleagues who face reprisals, harassment or intimidation is one of the IOI’s core tasks, especially when democracy is weakened, undermined or comes under threat.
In support of colleague Bodnar, the IOI has carried out a fact finding mission to Poland in 2016 and presented the findings of this mission in a press conference in Warsaw. Back then, the IOI assured Ombudsman Bodnar that it will keep a watchful eye on the developments in the country.
In response to the latest developments, the IOI has sent a letter of support to Ombudsman Bodnar (see further below), to confirm that it stands ready to continue its assistance and to offer its full support to Mr Bodnar and his office in the future.
The IOI also fully endorses the official statement issued by the European Network of NHRIs (ENNHRI) and the Global Alliance of NHRIs (GANHRI) on this matter.
