TOH edition: Saturday, 17 October 2026 · Humanity & Society
Speaking up can help protect the freedom to help: Poland drops migrant-aid proposal after outcry
Reported by Notes from Poland
Publisher date:
Poland’s interior ministry has withdrawn a proposal that rights groups warned could criminalise humanitarian help for migrants, with penalties of up to three years in prison. The reversal followed criticism from 61 organisations, the human rights commissioner and a minister within the governing coalition.
The withdrawal shows that public opposition can help prevent new legal barriers to providing food, shelter and medical care to people in need.
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