The main purpose of this article is to discuss whether the decisions adopted by the government of the Republic of Lithuania are not in conflict with the guarantees of economic freedom enshrined in the Constitution. The article analyses four issues: 1. what constitutional bases of economic freedom are entrenched in the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania and the official constitutional doctrine of the Constitutional Court; 2. what conditions for restricting the economic freedom are established by the Lithuanian Constitution; 3. has economic freedom not been violated during the First and Second quarantines in Lithuania; 4. discuss the first case in Lithuania in which the court indicated whether the economic freedom had not been violated during the First Quarantine. The article is based on analytical (critically analyzed legal regulation), constitutionally oriented (presenting the provisions of the Constitution and the constitutional doctrine), and other research methods.

This text is an attempt to subjectively consider of the issue of equality, on the topic of which Ryszard Borowicz in 1988 wrote a monograph entitled “Równość i sprawiedliwość społeczna” [Equality and Social Justice]. The author, referring to a historical and legal overview of the notion of the citizen, tries to suggest that it is the political system that determines the status of its citizens. What is more, it also determines not only their legal situation but also the scope of their subjective rights, freedoms and obligations. The general principles enshrined in the constitution are the means that the legislator uses to show the citizens which values he considers the most important and which are intended to guide social change. The main goal of the authors’ deliberations is to signal the need to continue research on equality, especially given that the notion of equality should be considered from a wider perspective, for example taking into account the change of the political and legal system.

The Constitutional Obligation Pursue Policies Ensuring the Ecological Security of Current and Future Generations

The subject of the analysis in the publication is Art. 74 sec. 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland. According to this article, public authorities are obliged to pursue a long-term environmental policy that not only meets current needs, but also recognizes the right of future generations to live in a healthy environment. The publication contains a general discussion of constitutional regulations relating to the environment, and then presents the views of doctrine and jurisprudence within the scope of understanding the term “ecological security” used in Art. 74 sec. 1. The consequences of the obligation to conduct a policy ensuring ecological security for present and future generations were discussed. Finally, reference was made to current problems and challenges resulting from concern for the condition of the environment in Poland.

The Prosecutor’s Office and the Sejm

Author argues in the article that under the legal status preceding the 2009 amendment to the Act on the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Sejm’s control over the actions of the Minister of Justice – Prosecutor General found a direct basis in the constitutional norm, which entrusts the Sejm with the control over the Council of Ministers. Under the 2009 prosecution model, where the functions of the Prosecutor General and the Minister of Justice were separated, the Prosecutor General, directing the activities of the prosecution service, was an autonomous body in relation to Council of Ministers, President, Sejm and Senate. The reconnection of the functions of the Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General by the 2016 Act gives the Sejm the possibility of parliamentary control of the Prosecutor General. Author indicates the instruments of parliamentary control emphasizing that the Sejm is entitled only to such powers of control that have been clearly defined in the Constitution and laws. Author justifies the thesis that the diversity of the models of functioning of the prosecutor’s office in Poland, as an institution beyond the framework of the classical Montesquieu classification, does not deprive the Sejm of the right to control the prosecutor’s office, which he realizes with the help of diverse means.

The Constitutional Expression of the Principle of Independence of the State and Religious Associations

The aim of the study is to specify and analyze the expression of the principle of independence of the state and religious associations in contemporary constitutions. This is preceded by an attempt to establish the ideological roots of the principle of independence of the above-mentioned entities. Primarily, the formal-dogmatic and legal-comparative methods were used. The historical and legal method was used as a subsidiary. The texts of all binding constitutions were analyzed in terms of the articulation of the aforementioned principle of religious relations. The principle of independence of the state and religious associations is one of the main normative directives of religious relations in contemporary Poland. It has ideological roots not only in Catholic social teaching, but also in the liberal doctrine. Since the end of the 20th century, it has found a permanent place in the constitutionalism of a number of European secular (non-religious) states and some Latin American states.

Uprawnienia Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej w zakresie zapewnienia bezpieczeństwa państwa

W świetle Konstytucji Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z 2 kwietnia 1997 r. Prezydent Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej jest najwyższym przedstawicielem państwa oraz gwarantem ciągłości władzy państwowej. Jednym z należących do niego obowiązków jest obowiązek stania na straży suwerenności i bezpieczeństwa państwa, jak również nienaruszalności i niepodzielności jego terytorium. Prawodawca w ustawie zasadniczej, jak też w innych aktach rangi ustawowej przyznał głowie państwa uprawnienia, których wykonywanie ma służyć właściwej ochronie bezpieczeństwa państwa i jego obywateli. Artykuł w ogólnym zarysie ukazuje zakres uprawnień Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, które w sytuacjach wystąpienia różnych zagrożeń są wykorzystywane przez głowę państwa w celu ich zapobiegnięcia lub zminimalizowania ich skutków.

Prawa i obowiązki państwa członkowskiego organizacji międzynarodowej – artykuł 90 Konstytucji RP

Artykuł 90 Konstytucji Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej (ustawy zasadniczej) jest zdefiniowany nie tylko w orzecznictwie, ale również i w doktrynie, jako podstawa prawna przystąpienia państwa członkowskiego (m.in. Polski) do organizacji międzynarodowej. Udział ten związany jest przede wszystkim z uprawnieniami członkowskimi, ale także z obowiązkami. Wśród tych pierwszych należy wskazać po pierwsze czerpanie korzyści z członkostwa w organizacji międzynarodowej, po drugie wykonywanie wszystkich statutowych i zwyczajowych uprawnień członkowskich, czy też udział w procesie podejmowania decyzji. Natomiast do obowiązków członkowskich należy zaliczyć po pierwsze wykonywanie zobowiązań statutowych, wspieranie organizacji międzynarodowej w realizacji celów i funkcji organizacyjnych, czy też solidarność z organizacją oraz jej państwami członkowskimi.

The Influence of the Legal Regime of Maritime on Ensuring the Right to the Secret of Correspondence in Ukraine

The article is devoted to the study of the influence of the legal regime of martial law on ensuring the constitutional right to secrecy of correspondence, telephone conversations, telegraph and other correspondence. Martial law and restrictions on human rights and freedoms are not common in any country in the world. However, today, in connection with the imposition of martial law in Ukraine due to Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, this topic is quite relevant. The author investigates the essence of restrictions on human rights and freedoms in martial law, legal grounds, models, conditions and principles of restrictions on human rights and freedoms in martial law, in particular the right to secrecy of correspondence. The foreign experience of martial law in the country and restrictions on the right to secrecy of correspondence and other human rights and freedoms under such conditions are considered. The mechanism of martial law in Ukraine or in some of its territories is analyzed, its shortcomings are identified, which can significantly affect human rights and freedoms in martial law. A comparative description of the Ukrainian and foreign mechanisms of martial law and restrictions on human rights under martial law has been made. In order to avoid unjustified or illegal restriction of the human right to secrecy of correspondence in wartime, substantiated recommendations are provided to eliminate the shortcomings of the mechanism of martial law in Ukraine.

Improvements of Criminal Legislation of Ukraine in the Conditions of the Russia-Ukraine War of 2022

The article is devoted to the review of the amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine during the first month since the beginning of the next act of armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. The analyzed period is limited to the timeframe from February 24 to March 25, 2022. During this period, the Ukrainian parliament adopted 10 pieces of legislation related to amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine. It is noted that the relevant amendments to the legislation were made throughout Ukraine during the period of martial law. The main purpose of the adopted changes was to strengthen criminal liability for crimes committed during martial law and criminalize certain acts that have not yet provided for the occurrence of criminal liability. The first law to supplement the criminal legislation of Ukraine during martial law was the law on collaboration. Collaborative activities are now understood as a fairly wide range of criminal acts: public denial of armed aggression against Ukraine; public appeals to support the decisions and/or actions of the aggressor state; propaganda in educational institutions, voluntary employment in illegal authorities, etc. Also, the Criminal Code of Ukraine is supplemented with articles criminalizing the threat of murder of a serviceman (including production/distribution of materials containing such a threat) and justification, recognition of legitimate, denial of armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine (including production/distribution of relevant materials). In terms of liability for treason and sabotage, the legislator strengthened the liability of perpetrators to life imprisonment with confiscation of property (if the relevant crimes were committed under martial law). A separate law stipulates that civilians are not criminally liable for the use of firearms against persons who carry out armed aggression against Ukraine if such weapons are used in accordance with the requirements of a special law. Criminal liability for theft, robbery, banditry, and extortion has been strengthened. Responsibility for looting has also been strengthened. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine also passed a law recognizing the fulfillment of the duty to protect the Fatherland, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine as a circumstance that excludes criminal wrongdoing. Laws were also passed to increase criminal liability for cybercrime, establish liability for the illegal use of humanitarian aid, and disseminate information on the relocation, movement, or position of the Armed Forces of Ukraine).

The Guarantor or an Arbitrator? The Role of the President of the Republic of Poland in the Light of Art. 126 sec. 1 of the Polish Constitution

The author of the study claims that assigning the role of an arbitrator to the President of the Republic of Poland is incorrect. It is a misleading reference to the constitutional position of the President of the Fifth French Republic, who vests much stronger power. It deprives the function of the guarantor of the continuity of power, referred to in Art. 126 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, of its content and systemic significance. The President of the Republic is not impartial and apolitical and takes part in the implementation of state policy. These features prevent him from taking a neutral position towards the participants in the conflict and from resolving it impartially. In addition, the Polish Constitution does not equip him with the appropriate competencies.

Proposals for Strengthening Political Opposition in the Constitution of the Republic of Poland in Concepts of Polish National Camp in the 21st Century

This article presents the ideas of the contemporary Polish national camp, represented by the League of Polish Families and the National Movement, concerning the postulated role of the political opposition in the political system of the Republic of Poland. Both parties have taken the view that the opposition should be strengthened by granting it new powers and competences, which would allow for an increase in pluralism and ideological diversity, as well as to oppose the domination of a few large political parties.

Institution of Recall – a Tool of Democracy or a Toy in the Hands of the Opposition?

The subject of the study is one of the institutions of direct democracy sensu stricto – recall, which operates in Poland at the level of local government. This article is an attempt to answer the question whether this institution should be introduced into the Polish legal system at the national level. In order to answer the above question, it is necessary to present the principles of the functioning of this institution in other countries. The use of the comparative legal method allows for the submission of a postulate to introduce such an institution into the Polish legal system. However, only practice would show whether it would become another form of direct democracy or a tool in the hands of the opposition.

Ombudsman Institutions in Universities and the Principle of Their Autonomy

The constitutionally guaranteed principle of autonomy of universities, necessary for the implementation of the mission of the system of higher education and science means, among other things, that the authorities of higher education institutions must be left with the sphere of free decision on matters of internal organization. In view of the problems that occur in the life of academic communities, related, among others, to the implementation of the principle of equality and non-discrimination, the need to provide special protection for persons with disabilities, the authors reflect on the need to create ombudsman institutions in universities, indicating the principles on the basis of which such bodies could be created and operate in such a way that it could be reconciled with the principle of autonomy of universities.

Confessional Secrecy in Criminal, Civil and Administrative Cases as a Condition for the Implementation of the Constitutional Right to Freedom of Conscience and Religion

The text is devoted to the issue of protection of the secret of confession provided on the basis of criminal trial, civil and administration process. This secret is the immanent element of the rites of persons exercising their freedom of conscience and religion under Art. 53 sec. 1 of the Constitution. Freedom of conscience and religion is one of the most important. The differences in the approach to clergy witnesses and possible solutions for the unification of mechanisms governing their interrogation were presented.

After thirty years of authoritarian leadership of king Hussein I in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 1989 the first general election since 1967 was held. In 1991 in Amman the Jordanian National Charter was legislated. This document was a declaration of civil rights and the rules governing the society. Thanks to the Charter the multiparty system was restored. It needs to be stated, however, that the legislation of this act indicated legal nihilism of Jordanian society. The card apparently met the postulates of most ideological groups. Simultaneously, it did not replace the constitution in force and its statements were mutually contradictive. An attempt was made to combine European ideas of democracy and freedom with the rules of Islam. What is even more important is that the relationship between the king and social representatives was not specified. Eventually, the Charter facilitated the King’s political game.

Amendment of June 9, 2022 to the Act of the Supreme Court – real or illusory change?

This paper is devoted to the Act of June 9, 2022 amending the Act on the Supreme Court and certain other acts. Despite the liquidation of the Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court, the analysis of this act leads to the conclusion that the Polish legislator petrifies the unconstitutional judicial appointments. Judges appointed to the Supreme Court with the participation of the National Council of the Judiciary, formed according to unconstitutional rules, will be able to continue to exercise judicial functions in that court. In addition, the unconstitutional procedure for the appointment of judges remains unchanged.

The Principle of Equality in Elections to Bodies of Self- Governments of Public Trust Professions

The aim of this article is to demonstrate that the constitutional principles relating to elections to public authorities should mutatis mutandis be the benchmark for elections to the bodies of self-government of public trust professions. The principle of equality of the electoral law is of particular importance in this area. The analysis has been carried out on the basis of the Polish Constitution, the case law of the Constitutional Tribunal and the laws and internal acts regarding professional self-governments. It follows that a breach of the principle of equality in the internal acts of a professional self-government may be grounds for declaring them unlawful. Whereas, laws concerning these self-governments should enable the scrutiny of elections. The considerations lead to the conclusion that topics combining the position of professional self-governments and democratic standards of the election law can be a field of interesting research in the domain of constitutional law.

System Models of the Capital of Poland and Selected European Union Countries

Regulations concerning the position, status and model of functioning of capitals in European countries have not been unified. Both Poland and other European Union countries use their own, autonomous solutions. It is a fact that there are a lot of similarities in this area, but nevertheless they do not have formal, legal, regulatory or directive conditions. The many similarities have historical or geopolitical roots. A number of regulations are also related to the care for the stability of legal solutions, the organizational stability of the state and international bodies and institutions. The conducted analysis allows, however, to distinguish three main organizational models, which have certain advantages, but also negative management and organizational aspects.

Importance of the 2005 Constitution of the Republic of Iraq as a Result of the Operation “Iraqi Freedom”

The adoption of a constitution is usually a breakthrough event, initiating a new reality for a given community, although it often becomes only a meaningless document, the provisions of which are ignored by the rulers, irrelevant or even unknown to the society. The armed operation of the Coalition Forces under the political and military leadership of the US, which lasted from 2003 to 2010, creates an important context for the constitution of the Republic of Iraq, which was implemented in December 2005. Therefore, it is important to place this constitution against the background of events and other documents of this rank in Iraq. Only in such a context can the significance of this fundamental law be properly assessed. For this purpose, a source analysis of both the text of the Constitution of 2005 and previous documents of a similar rank in Iraq was carried out, as well as an analysis of the political and military situation and the changing internal socio-political conditions in order to place this legal act in the right context.

Constitutional Standard of Clarity in the Aspect of the Crime of Theft with Burglary

The study relates to the analysis of Art. 279 of the Penal Code (theft with burglary) from the point of view of constitutional standards of clarity of criminal law (Art. 42 sec. 1 of the Constitution). The analysis concerns the case law of the Supreme Court. The jurisprudence takes into account technical and technological progress which is important for the interpretation of the notion “burglary”. Dictionary definitions of this notion were also used. Moreover, the principle of nullum crimen sine lege certa was interpreted in the light of the Constitutional Tribunal’s jurisprudence. Against this background, it was concluded that Art. 279 of the Penal Code does not infringe the Constitution and its application – with the use of a dynamic method of interpretation – does not raise any objections. This provision adequately protects legal goods and its content allows for the predictable reconstruction of the features of a prohibited act.