Higher penalties for attacks, among others on medics. Amendment addressed to the Commission

Amendment to the Penal Code raising penalties for attacks, including At medics and officers up to five years in prison, she was referred on Friday to work in the Extraordinary Commission for changes in codification. All clubs declared support for the changes prepared by the Ministry of Justice.

In the Sejm, the first reading of the government bill was held on Friday amending the Act – Penal Code, the Act – Code of Offenses and the Act – Code of Conduct in cases of offenses. The changes proposed in them are to ensure more effective protection against violence for public officials, paramedics and citizens who have help.

– This is an attempt to a comprehensive response to phenomena that shock all public opinions. (…) We must do everything to help and save human life, no one waste time fighting adventurers – said Deputy Minister of Justice Arkadiusz Myrcha, presenting the project on behalf of the government. – We must take all actions that protect people in uniforms and without uniforms risking their own lives, health and their own goods, acting with a sense of good – he added.

Support for the project was expressed by representatives of all parliamentary clubs – the ruling coalition and opposition, although PiS deputies and confederation had comments.

– In recent years, attacks and aggression of police officers, city guard, firefighters, doctors, but also nurses or paramedics have been we have. “The changes contained in this project is a clear signal that the state's priority is to protect people who are exposed to aggression in connection with its function,” she said. – If we do not do this, we will strengthen the attitudes of indifference to the perceived cases of violation of law, but we will also weaken the important basis of civil society, which is the feeling of individual citizens to be responsible and for the common good, for the good of another man – she added.

Marcin Warchoł from PiS positively assessed the extension in the protection project of the person undertaking the necessary defense. – It is needed to protect those who do not wait until the tragedy occurs, when the perpetrator pulls out the knife, it will be threatened – this is already a place for intervention. Such protection shows that the state is on the side of victims, not criminals – he said.

Witold Tumanowicz on behalf of the confederation pointed out that his club supports the direction of strengthening the state's sharp response to aggression against medics and officers. – They perform an extremely responsible task, we must protect them legally because they save our health and life – he made. At the same time, he raised doubts whether some provisions could be applied in practice.

The proposal of MS, which the Sejm deals with, refers to two provisions of the Penal Code talking about violation of the inviolability of the person undertaking the intervention to protect security, for which he is currently threatened with up to two years in prison and violation of the officer's inviolability in connection with the performance of official duties, for which he is currently in danger of up to three years in prison.

The project provides for more severe penalties for violence against interveners and greater protection against verbal aggression: for an attack on a policeman, a fireman, a paramedic or a person saving others (e.g. stops the attacker, separates the fight, saves in a fire), threatens a penalty from 3 months to 5 years in prison. Citizens undertaking intervention will also be covered by the same protection as public officials; Until now, the punishment for violating the inviolability of the officer was up to 3 years, and towards a citizen saving others – up to 2 years in prison.

In turn, a person who will be insulted during the intervention (e.g. insults, threats) will be able to count on the fact that the perpetrator will be dealt with not only by the prosecutor's office not only at the private request, but ex officio. For aggressive behavior in a public place, e.g. in a hospital or office, there will be a penalty of arrest, restriction of liberty or a fine of PLN 1000-5000 (currently fines are from PLN 100 to 500). The same penalty will face disturbing peace and public order under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The court will have to publish a judgment (e.g. on the website) – at the request of the injured party – if the perpetrator is convicted of violence against an officer or a person saving others.

If someone is caught in the act of the attack, then the police will be obliged, and not just the possibility, keep him and lead to court.

The project was directed to be considered by the Sejm Extraordinary Commission for changes in codification. (PAP)

Akar/ Jann/