Venice Commission in Poland to probe 'police bill'
PR dla Zagranicy
Roberto Galea
29.04.2016 09:17
The watchdog of the Council of Europe, the Venice Commission is in Poland for a two-day visit to gather information about a new law relating to police rights and data-gathering which was introduced by the Law and Justice government.
Some of the members of the Venice Commission in Warsaw on Thursday. Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka
The Commission started their second day of the visit on Friday morning with meetings at the National Prosecutor's Office.
The Commission members are in Poland in preperation of a draft opinion on the amendment at the request of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
The members of the Venice Commission have been in the country since Thursday where they held meetings with the Supreme Bar Council, among others.
The trip marks the second time that the commission, which is an arm of the Council of Europe, has visited Poland this year, following a probe into Poland's crisis relating to the Constitutional Tribunal.
Three members, taking in a Swede, a Swiss and a Dutchman, are in Warsaw until Friday.
The commission will be analysing whether recent legislation is in accordance with conventions signed by member countries of the Council of Europe.
The so-called Police Bill was signed by President Andrzej Duda in early February.
The legislation, which was created by the ruling Law and Justice party, gives police greater surveillance powers. (rg)