Polish ‘anti-Greenpeace’ law

26.3.2018

Question for written answer P-001803-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Max Andersson (Verts/ALE)

On 10 January, Poland passed a law on the organisation of COP24, which takes place in Katowice from 3-14 December.

The law has been dubbed ‘the anti-Greenpeace bill’ as it contains several components directly targeting climate change activists.

Article 17 says Polish police will be able to collect, obtain and process information, including personal data such as photographs and details on the private lives of COP24 participants and organisers, even without their knowledge and agreement and without them being suspected of any crime. The data can be stored until 31 January 2019, but there are no guarantees that the information will then be destroyed, as the police can share it with the Polish secret services (ABW) whose work is not subject to the same checks and balances incumbent on the police.

The law also does not specify how these data will be collected, and in particular whether Poland will force COP 24 to hand over all the data that participants submit when they register.

1. Is the law in compliance with EU standards concerning the freedom of assembly, as enshrined in Article 12 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights?

2. Is the law compatible with applicable Union data protection rules?