Description
The project deals with monitoring of the processes of electing judges of the Constitutional Tribunal, the Human Rights Defender, and the Public Prosecutor General, that will take place in 2015 and 2016. It is a continuation of activities undertaken in the last 9 years by INRPIS and other non-governmental organisations. On the one hand, we plan to monitor election procedures led by relevant (mainly parliamentary) bodies, and on the other we want to perform our own activities, such as gathering and publishing information on candidates, organising “public hearings" where everyone can ask questions. Under the project, INPRIS will closely cooperate with other non-governmental organisations. The activities are aimed at improving the transparency and the quality of election procedures and including all interested groups in the election process. They should also help in electing the most competent candidates.
Summary of project results
"So far, Poland has had no traditions in debates on electing candidates for important posts connected with the protection of civil rights and freedoms. The elections have been organised quickly and without proper reflection, and citizens have not known candidates and their competencies or the criteria for their choice. In 2015, the term of the Commissioner for Human Rights (RPO) and five judges from the Constitutional Tribunal (TK) was to end, and unexpectedly also the Inspector General for the Protection of Personal Data (GIODO) resigned, and in 2016 the term of the Attorney General (PG) was ending, which meant that the dominating political power could nominate their candidates for many important posts in judiciary and in legal protection bodies for the coming years. The aim of the project was to bring about a situation where votings for the important posts connected with the protection of civil rights and freedoms were well-planned and transparent, and based on the evaluation of competencies of the candidates. Under the project, six election procedures were monitored and described. The circumstances of electing the high state officials presented in the project report can become an important material for public debate and encourage activities to enhance transparency and reliability of election processes for high state posts. Under the project, cooperation was started with organisations interested in surveying transparency of election procedures (the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, the Polish Section of the International Commission of Jurists, the Panoptykon Foundation), and the monitoring tool was jointly adapted. Announcements of candidates for the monitored posts were followed on the ongoing basis. Presented candidates filled questionnaires that served as a basis for preparing ""candidate profiles"". Three meetings were organised with candidates for RPO, GIODO and PG, as well as a discussion on electing judges to TK. A dozen or so statements and appeals were directed to decision-makers and general public on the monitored elections. The activities were documented on the web page of the organisation and in social media, Facebook and Twitter. A report was prepared and published containing recommendations in e-book and printed forms (100 copies). The project benefited citizens, and in particular MPs, lawyers, civil organisations and media."
Summary of bilateral results