Examining Conscientious Objection as a Mean of Safeguarding Individual Freedom of Conscience: Reflections on Art. 85 of the Polish Constitution

This article examines the conscience clause, which is also known as conscientious objection, and its purpose in protecting an individual’s beliefs when they come into conflict with positive law. Specifically, the author discusses how the conscience clause applies to the constitutional duty to perform military service. In the case of mandatory military service, the legislator recognizes the possibility of a conflict of conscience for an individual when the duty to perform military service would be in conflict with the moral principles upheld by that individual. To address this issue, the legislator has introduced the institution of alternative service. Alternative service, which includes, among other things, work in the fields of environmental protection, fire protection, healthcare, social assistance, and care for people with disabilities or the homeless, has become a constitutional guarantee for the freedom of conscience and religion expressed in Article 53 of the Constitution.