President Andrzej Duda addressed the Constitutional Court with an amendment to the Act on ‘Speak of Hate’, triggering the sharp reaction of Minister Adam Bodnar. The MS chief announced that he would not quit the fight against hatred and discrimination.
We remind you that for any time now the government of Donald Tusk, due to the unconstitutional shaped Constitutional Court, has ceased publication of all its alleged judgments. This situation causes that the alleged hatred speech law will not enter into force.
President Duda versus the hatred speech bill – what happens?
President Andrzej Duda decided to mention to the Constitutional Court the amendment of the Act on “Speak of Hate”. The task expands the catalogue of prejudiced crimes, including age, disability, sex and sexual orientation.
The head of state considered that the proposed changes could violate the freedom of speech guaranteed by the Polish Constitution. He pointed out, among others:
- Article 54(1) – ensuring freedom of expression,
- Article 31(3) – allowing restrictions on freedom only if they are essential for the protection of security, public order or the rights of another persons.
Bodnar: "It is not ideology, it is simply a fight against a real problem"
Justice Minister Adam Bodnar left no uncertainty – does not intend to retreat from the project. In a strong statement, he stressed that the fight against hatred speech was not a "left ideology", but the real request to defend citizens from aggression and discrimination.
‘Fighting with hatred speech is not “ideology”. This is an effort to deal with 1 of the most serious problems of social life in Poland. Everyone sees this – hatred speech poisons public debate, human relations, social relations. It is increasingly a origin of violence, contempt and human harm.” said Bodnar.
He besides added that protecting the weaker and excluded is the foundation of the Polish Constitution and European valuesAnd the president's decision is simply a step backwards in the fight against hate.
“I declare that I will not quit this project! I will stand by the citizens affected by hatred speech and its serious consequences. What will delay, it will not escape” – announced the head of MS.
Fighting hatred speech is not “ideology”. This is an effort to deal with 1 of the most serious problems of social life in Poland. Everyone sees this – hatred speech poisons public debate, human relations, social relations. It's increasingly a origin of violence...
— Adam Bodnar (@Adbodnar) April 18, 2025
Kaleta counterattacks: “This is simply a tool to punish the opposition”
The erstwhile Deputy Minister of Justice referred to Bodnar’s words Sebastian Kaletawho accused the government of utilizing the notion of “talk of hate” to fight criticism.
"The speech of hatred in your hands has become an ideological scuffle, a tool to intimidate and punish critical opinions towards leftist ideology" – wrote MP PiS.
As an example, he gave the case of an older female to whom police intervened after critical comment on Jerzy Owsiak. According to Kaleta, an amendment to the Act could lead to Punishment of Conservatives.
The speech of hatred in your hands has become an ideological scuffle, a tool to intimidate and punish critical opinions towards leftist ideology.
Just look at the current practice of your subordinates. You're sending the police halfway through Poland to get an old woman due to the fact that she wrote...
— Sebastian Kaleta (@sjkaleta) April 18, 2025
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I'm not giving up! Bodnar outraged at Duda's decision on the alleged hatred speech bill
