http://www2.polskieradio.pl/eo/dokument.aspx?iid=143118

Human rights organisation slams anti-designer drug law

09.11.2010

 

The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights has publicly criticised emergency legislation passed by President Komorowski yesterday on the ban of the production and sale of designer drugs in Poland.

 

On signing the new bill on Monday, Bronislaw Komorowski said that if any doubts arise as to the constitutionality of the legislation voiced by experts in the field, then it could be passed onto the Constitutional Tribunal.

 

Meanwhile, the Helsinki Foundation, an international organisation serving the protection of human rights, has written an open letter in which it voices reservations about the way in which the legislation was passed, as well as the implementation of penal sanctions for breaking the prohibition on the sale of designer drugs, which imply consequences as to the possibility of legal defence.

 

The Helsinki Foundation has also raised concerns about an apparently vague definition of designer drugs included in the bill; senators also took up issue with the definition, Foundation lawyer Piotr Kladoczny told Polish Radio. (jb)