Polish opposition moves to criminalise insults to EU symbols

Poland’s opposition Civic Coalition has introduced a draft bill that would impose criminal penalties for insulting or damaging symbols of the European Union.

The proposed legislation, titled "On the Symbols of the European Union and Their Protection," would make the public destruction, damage, or removal of EU flags and emblems punishable by a restriction of liberty or imprisonment of up to one year, Caliber.Az reports via Polish media. 

The bill’s authors argue that current legislation allows politicians and activists to denigrate EU symbols without consequences, including publicly burning the EU flag or referring to it in derogatory terms. They say the proposed law is intended to close this legal gap.

In addition to criminal sanctions, the draft law предусматривает financial penalties of up to 5,000 Polish zlotys (about €1,150) for the improper use of EU symbols for commercial or advertising purposes.

Supporters of the initiative say the aim of the legislation is to protect the dignity of European Union symbols to the same extent as the flags and emblems of foreign states are protected under Polish law.

By Sabina Mammadli