Poland
Poland has dedicated counterterrorism provisions in its criminal law, including in its revised Criminal Code. There is no carve-out for the exercise of fundamental human rights.
The Definition of Terrorism in Domestic Law
Article 115(20) of the Revised Penal Code defines terrorism as follows:
a prohibited [criminal] act ... committed with the aim of:
1) seriously terrorising a large number of people,
2) forcing a public authority of the Republic of Poland, or another State or international organisation, to take or not to take a certain course of action,
3) causing a serious disturbance in the political system or the economy of the Republic of Poland, or another State or international organisation,
- or a threat to commit such an act.
Adherence to Global and Regional Terrorism Treaties
Poland is a State Party to all of the main United Nations treaties on terrorism.
| Treaty | Adherence |
|---|---|
| 1973 Convention on Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons | State Party |
| 1979 Hostage-Taking Convention | State Party |
| 1997 Terrorist Bombings Convention | State Party |
| 1999 Terrorist Financing Convention | State Party |
| 2005 Nuclear Terrorism Convention | State Party |
Poland is also a State Party to most of the European treaties on terrorism.
| Treaty | Adherence |
|---|---|
| 1977 European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism | State Party |
| 2003 Protocol amending the European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism | State Party |
| 2005 Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism | State Party |
| 2015 Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism | Signatory |
Laws and Penalties for Terrorist Offences
Article 115(20) of the Revised Penal Code sanctions terrorism with a term of imprisonment of at least five years.
Counterterrorism Capacities and Policies at Domestic Level
Poland's 2016 Anti-Terrorism Act assigns responsibility for preventing terrorism to the Head of the Internal Security Agency. The Act reformed the national counterterrorism framework, granting law enforcement and security agencies the power to block online content and to disable all telecommunications in an emergency.
Poland has dedicated counterterrorism units in its national police.
Glossary
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