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Citizen’s rights and obligations

Source: licencja: CC 0.

Link to the lesson

Before you start you should know
  • Citizenship is the status of a person recognized under the law as being a legal member of a sovereign state.

  • The existence of citizenship results in mutual rights and obligations between individuals and states they are citizens of.

You will learn
  • You will be able to explain how human dignity is the foundation for human rights and freedoms.

  • You will be able to explain what personal, political, economic, social and cultural rights and freedoms a Polish citizen enjoys, as well as what obligations to the Polish state he has.

  • You will be able to explain when and to what extent the citizen’s rights and freedoms may be limited.

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nagranie abstraktu

The principle of human dignity is the foundation for constitutional rights and freedoms. It is referred to twice in the Constitution of the Republic of Poland - in the preamble and article 30. Article 30 states that dignity is inherent (that is, resulting from having been born a human being) and inalienableinalienableinalienable (that is, one can not be depriveddeprivationdeprived of it). It is also inviolableinviolableinviolable and remains a source of freedom and human and civil rights. This article also imposes a dutyto impose (a duty)imposes a duty to respect and protect human dignity on public authorities.

The Constitution of the Republic of Poland

Preamble

(...) We call upon all those who will apply this Constitution for the good of the Third Republic to do so paying respect to the inherentinherentinherent dignity of the person, his or her right to freedom, the obligation of solidarity with others, and respect for these principles as the unshakeableunshakeableunshakeable foundation of the Republic of Poland.

Article 30

The inherent and inalienable dignity of the person shall constitute a source of freedoms and rights of persons and citizens. It shall be inviolable. The respect and protection thereof shall be the obligation of public authorities.

konst Source: The Constitution of the Republic of Poland.

It is impossible to formulate a precise legal definition of the concept of „dignity”, rather it is the subject of philosophical debates. However, there are some of the most important elements of this rule:

  • the source of human dignity is the natural law, and thus it belongs to man regardless of whether the law explicitlyexplicitlyexplicitly refers to this principle;

  • it is inalienable – a man cannot renounceto renouncerenounce it,

  • it is inviolable – the legislator cannot abolishto abolishabolish, limit or suspendto suspendsuspend it,

  • every man is entitled to it equally, regardless of sex, race, nationality, citizenship, education, religion or social position,

  • it is the foundation of the constitutional order - other norms and values contained in this order must be referred to the principle of dignity.

Citizens' rights enshrinedenshrinedenshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Poland

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Podpis: Personal freedoms and rights. Fotografia barwna przedstawiająca statuę wolności widzianą z daleka, do której ktoś przykłada palec wskazujący. Nad nimi znajduje się następujący napis: Personal freedoms and rights. Natomiast poniżej umieszczono następujące teksty: Right to life Article 38 The Republic of Poland shall ensure the legal protection of the life of every human being. Personal integrity Article 40 No one may be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. The application of corporal punishment shall be prohibited. Article 41 1. Personal inviolability and security shall be ensured to everyone. Any deprivation or limitation of liberty may be imposed only in accordance with principles and under procedures specified by statute. Article 50 The inviolability of the home shall be ensured. Any search of a home, premises or vehicles may be made only in cases and in a manner specified by statute. Right to a fair trial Article 45 1. Everyone shall have the right to a fair and public hearing of his case, without undue delay, before a competent, impartial and independent court. Right to privacy protection Article 47 Everyone shall have the right to legal protection of his private and family life, of his honour and good reputation and to make decisions about his personal life. Article 49 The freedom and privacy of communication shall be ensured. Any limitations thereon may be imposed only in cases and in a manner specified by statute. Article 48 1. Parents shall have the right to rear their children in accordance with their own convictions. Such upbringing shall respect the degree of maturity of a child as well as his freedom of conscience and belief and also his convictions. Freedom of movement Article 52 1. Freedom of movement as well as the choice of place of residence and sojourn within the territory of the Republic of Poland shall be ensured to everyone. 2. Everyone may freely leave the territory of the Republic of Poland. Freedom of conscience and religion Article 53 1. Freedom of conscience and religion shall be ensured to everyone. Freedom of speech Article 54 1. The freedom to express opinions, to acquire and to disseminate information shall be ensured to everyone.
Personal freedoms and rights
Source: licencja: CC 0.
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Ilustracja interaktywna.Podpis: Political rights and civil liberties. Grafika przedstawiająca schematyczne sylwetki demonstrujących ludzi. Niektórzy z nich trzymają transparenty bez napisów. Na górze obrazka znajduje się napis "Political rights and civil liberties". Na grafice umieszczono następujące teksty: Right to participate in public life Article 60 Polish citizens enjoying full public rights shall have a right of access to the public service based on the principle of equality. Article 61 1. A citizen shall have the right to obtain information on the activities of organs of public authority as well as persons discharging public functions. Article 62 1. If, no later than on the day of vote, he has attained 18 years of age, Polish citizen shall have the right to participate in a referendum and the right to vote for the President of the Republic of Poland as well as representatives to the Sejm and Senate and organs of local government. Article 63 Everyone shall have the right to submit petitions, proposals and complaints in the public interest, in his own interest or in the interests of another person - with his consent - to organs of public authority, as well as to organizations and social institutions in connection with the performance of their prescribed duties within the field of public administration. Freedom of assembly Article 57 The freedom of peaceful assembly and participation in such assemblies shall be ensured to everyone. Freedom of association Article 58 1. The freedom of association shall be guaranteed to everyone. Article 59 1. The freedom of association in trade unions, socio-occupational organizations of farmers, and in employers' organizations shall be ensured.
Political rights and civil liberties
Source: licencja: CC 0.
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Ilustracja interaktywna.Barwna ilustacja przedstawiająca stojace sylwetki ludzi.Podpis: Economic, social and cultural rights. Ilustracja schematyczny rysunek tłumu ludzi. Na ilustracji znajdują się następujące treści: 1. Right to property. Article 64. Everyone shall have the right to ownership, other property rights and the right of succession. Everyone, on an equal basis, shall receive legal protection regarding ownership, other property rights and the right of succession. 2. Rights at work. Article 65. Everyone shall have the freedom to choose and to pursue his occupation and to choose his place of work. A minimum level of remuneration for work, or the manner of setting its levels shall be specified by statute. Article 66. Everyone shall have the right to safe and hygienic conditions of work. An employee shall have the right to statutorily specified days free from work as well as annual paid holidays. 3. Right to social security. Article 67. A citizen shall have the right to social security whenever incapacitated for work by reason of sickness or invalidism as well as having attained retirement age. The scope and forms of social security shall be specified by statute. A citizen who is involuntarily without work and has no other means of support, shall have the right to social security, the scope of which shall be specified by statute. 4. Right to health protection. Article 68. Everyone shall have the right to have his health protected. Equal access to health care services, financed from public funds, shall be ensured by public authorities to citizens, irrespective of their material situation. 5. Right to education. Article 70. Everyone shall have the right to education. Education to 18 years of age shall be compulsory. The manner of fulfilment of schooling obligations shall be specified by statute. Education in public schools shall be without payment. Statutes may allow for payments for certain services provided by public institutions of higher education. 6. Right to information about the state and protection of the environment. Article 74. Public authorities shall pursue policies ensuring the ecological security of current and future generations. Protection of the environment shall be the duty of public authorities. Everyone shall have the right to be informed of the quality of the environment and its protection. Public authorities shall support the activities of citizens to protect and improve the quality of the environment.
Economic, social and cultural rights
Source: licencja: CC 0.

Limitations on the rights and liberties

The rights and freedoms of citizens in the modern world are subject to restrictions, among others due to the rights and freedoms of other people or other important public interest (e.g. state security). However, the scope of these restrictions cannot be the effect of arbitraryarbitraryarbitrary decisions of the authorities, but should result from existing legal regulations and be subject to parliamentary control.

The Constitution of the Republic of Poland

Article 31

3. Any limitation upon the exercise of constitutional freedoms and rights may be imposed only by statute, and only when necessary in a democratic state for the protection of its security or public order, or to protect the natural environment, health or public morals, or the freedoms and rights of other persons. Such limitations shall not violate the essence of freedoms and rights.

konst1 Source: The Constitution of the Republic of Poland.

Obligations of Polish citizens

The catalog of civic duties, enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, is relatively limited.

The Constitution of the Republic of Poland

Article 82

Loyalty to the Republic of Poland, as well as concern for the common good, shall be the duty of every Polish citizen.

Article 83

Everyone shall observe the law of the Republic of Poland.

Article 84

Everyone shall complyto comply withcomply with his responsibilities and public duties, including the payment of taxes, as specified by statutestatutorily specifiedspecified by statute.

Article 85

  1. It shall be the duty of every Polish citizen to defend the Homeland.

  2. The nature of military service shall be specified by statute.

  3. Any citizen whose religious convictionsconvictionconvictions or moral principles do not allowto allowallow him to perform military service may be obliged to perform substitute service in accordance with principles specified by statute.

Article 86

Everyone shall care for the quality of the environment and shall be held responsibleto be held responsibleheld responsible for causing its degradationdegradingdegradation. The principles of such responsibility shall be specified by statute.The system of civil rights and freedoms in force in Poland after the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland in 1997 refers to international systems for the protection of human and civil rights developed after the second world war.

konst2 Source: The Constitution of the Republic of Poland.
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Exercise 1
Analyze the text carefully and fill in the gaps. The Polish state guarantees its citizens a number of {tu uzupełnij}, but also imposes certain {tu uzupełnij}. Both of them were regulated in the {tu uzupełnij} chapter of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland – The Freedoms, Rights and Obligations of Persons and Citizens. The rights of Polish citizens may be divided into three groups: {tu uzupełnij}, political and economic, social and cultural rights. An example of the first ones is {tu uzupełnij}, the second ones – {tu uzupełnij}, and the third ones – {tu uzupełnij}. Options to fill the gaps: 1. rights, 2. the right to education, 3. personal, 4. the right to vote, 5. second, 6. the right to life, 7. responsibilities.
Exercise 2
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Ćwiczenie alternatywne: Create a multiple-choice test question that deals with the issues covered in class. Prepare four answers, including two correct ones. Then give them to other students to solve.
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Exercise 3
Ćwiczenie alternatywne: Listen to the abstract recording to review the material and new vocabulary. Then do the vocabulary exercise. Explain the meaning of following words: to abolish; to suspend; means of support; irrespective of; statutorily specified; inherent; inalienable; inviolable. If it's too difficult, use lesson's glossary.

Keywords

human dignity, personal freedoms and rights (right to life, personal integrity, right to fair trial, right to privacy protection, freedom of movement, freedom of conscience and religion, freedom of speech), political rights and civil liberties (right to participate in public life, freedom of assembly, freedom of association), economic, social and cultural rights (right to property, rights at work, right to social security, right to health protection, right to education, right to information about the state and protection of the environment), limitations on the rights and liberties, obligations of Polish citizens

Glossary

inherent
inherent
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Nagranie słówka: inherent

nieodłączny, przyrodzony

inalienable
inalienable
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Nagranie słówka: inalienable

niezbywalny

inviolable
inviolable
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Nagranie słówka: inviolable

nienaruszalny

to impose (a duty)
to impose (a duty)
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Nagranie słówka: to impose (a duty)

narzucić (obowiązek)

unshakeable
unshakeable
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Nagranie słówka: unshakeable

niezachwiana

explicitly
explicitly
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Nagranie słówka: explicitly

wyraźnie

to renounce
to renounce
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Nagranie słówka: to renounce

wyrzec się, zrzec się

to abolish
to abolish
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Nagranie słówka: to abolish

znieść

to suspend
to suspend
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Nagranie słówka: to suspend

zawiesić

degrading
degrading
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Nagranie słówka: degrading

poniżające

corporal punishment
corporal punishment
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Nagranie słówka: corporal punishment

kara cielesna

deprivation
deprivation
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Nagranie słówka: deprivation

pozbawienie

premises
premises
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Nagranie słówka: premises

pomieszczenia

undue delay
undue delay
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Nagranie słówka: undue delay

nieuzasadniona zwłoka

impartial
impartial
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Nagranie słówka: impartial

bezstronny

to rear (children)
to rear (children)
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Nagranie słówka: to rear (children)

wychowywać (dzieci)

conviction
conviction
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Nagranie słówka: conviction

przekonanie

upbringing
upbringing
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Nagranie słówka: upbringing

wychowanie

sojourn
sojourn
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Nagranie słówka: sojourn

pobyt

to disseminate (information)
to disseminate (information)
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Nagranie słówka: to disseminate (information)

rozpowszechniać (informacje)

discharging
discharging
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Nagranie słówka: discharging

pełniący

to attain
to attain
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Nagranie słówka: to attain

osiągnąć

prescribed
prescribed
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Nagranie słówka: prescribed

zlecone

trade union
trade union
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Nagranie słówka: trade union

związek zawodowy

ownership
ownership
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Nagranie słówka: ownership

własność, posiadanie

succession
succession
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Nagranie słówka: succession

dziedziczenie

to pursue
to pursue
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Nagranie słówka: to pursue

gonić, dążyć do

statutorily specified
statutorily specified
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Nagranie słówka: statutorily specified

określone ustawowo

incapacitated
incapacitated
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Nagranie słówka: incapacitated

ubezwłasnowolniony

involuntarily
involuntarily
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Nagranie słówka: involuntarily

odruchowo, bez udziału woli lub wbrew woli

means of support
means of support
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Nagranie słówka: means of support

środki utrzymania

irrespective of
irrespective of
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Nagranie słówka: irrespective of

bez względu

compulsory
compulsory
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Nagranie słówka: compulsory

obowiązkowa

to allow
to allow
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Nagranie słówka: to allow

pozwalać

arbitrary
arbitrary
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Nagranie słówka: arbitrary

odgórny, arbitralny

enshrined
enshrined
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Nagranie słówka: enshrined

zapisane

to comply with
to comply with
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Nagranie słówka: to comply with

zgadzać się z

to be held responsible
to be held responsible
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Nagranie słówka: to be held responsible

ponieść odpowiedzialność