“The government’s priority is to strengthen civil society, which forms the foundation of democracy and the rule of law,” Minister Bodnar stated during today’s (November 6, 2024) plenary session of the forum titled “Citizen Engagement for Democratic Renewal.”

“In recent years, the rule of law in Poland was severely undermined when the authorities equated a democratically obtained mandate with full control over institutions,” Minister Bodnar explained. “The rule of law and constitutional protection of minorities were significantly weakened, and Europe and the world witnessed this crisis. Thanks to record voter turnout in the fall of 2023, we have embarked on a path to recovery. The Ministry of Justice is now focused on restoring the strength of democratic institutions and judicial independence. To ensure stability and equality, we are cooperating with civil society and human rights defenders to create principles that serve all citizens,” he continued.

He added that citizen participation in public life is not just about monitoring government actions but also co-creating policies and legislation.

The minister emphasized that restoring the rule of law and renewing democracy is a continuous and complex process. Social consultations involving civil society organizations are a key element of the democratic decision-making process and the development of civil society. Such consultations contribute to optimizing legal solutions and increasing trust in democratic institutions. An example of the Polish government’s cooperation with third-sector organizations in the legislative process is the establishment of the Office of the Minister for Civil Society.

For the Ministry of Justice, consultations with non-governmental organizations are crucial. Since December 2023, numerous meetings have been held between ministry representatives and civil society organizations and human rights defenders. The goal of these meetings is to develop joint projects.

“One of the main tasks of Poland’s presidency in the Council of the European Union in 2025 will be to strengthen the role of civil society and leverage its potential in protecting the rule of law. The presidency will focus on involving citizens in the legislative process and increasing legal security for EU citizens in cross-border situations,” Minister Bodnar said.

During Poland’s presidency, a conference titled “The Role of Civil Society in Protecting the Rule of Law” will take place in April 2025. “Our goal is to build a Europe where human rights, democracy, and the rule of law are genuinely protected. I firmly believe that our experiences can serve as an example, although I wish no one had to endure similar crises,” Minister Bodnar continued.

At the World Forum for Democracy, Minister Bodnar also met with Norway’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andreas Kravik, thanking him for the cooperation and support that the Kingdom of Norway provides to Poland through Norwegian funds, used in areas such as the justice system.

Particularly significant and fruitful is the collaboration between the Ministry of Justice and the Directorate of the Norwegian Correctional Service (KDI) and the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security in supporting penitentiary services.

Together with the University of Stavanger, programs are being implemented to counter domestic violence against the elderly, persons with disabilities, and gender-based violence.

“The implementation of the current program has delivered tangible results, including the construction of new penitentiary facilities, training for their staff, and municipal initiatives to prevent violence,” Minister Bodnar assessed, expressing hope for continued cooperation on future projects.