The Legal Status and Investigative Function of the Institute of National Remembrance – Commission for the Prosecution of Crimes against the Polish Nation (IPN) Under the Rule of Law
The Legal Status and Investigative Function of the Institute of National Remembrance – Commission for the Prosecution of Crimes against the Polish Nation (IPN) Under the Rule of Law
Author(s): Agnieszka ŻygasSubject(s): Criminal Law, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Governance, Politics and law, Studies in violence and power, Victimology, Sociology of Law
Published by: Udruženje “Pravnik”
Keywords: Institute of National Remembrance; Commission for the Prosecution of Crimes against the Polish Nation; Poland; crimes; investigation;
Summary/Abstract: The Institute of National Remembrance - Commission for the Prosecution of Crimes against the Polish Nation (hereinafter referred to as “the IPN” or “the Institute”) is a research institute affiliated with the Polish government, with vetting prerogatives and prosecution remits. It deals with the fifty years of the Polish nation history, from 1939 until 1989, a period of unprecedented changes. The IPN investigates both: Nazi and Communist crimes committed in Poland in that period, documents its findings and disseminates the results of its investigations to the public. The Institute was established under the Act on the Institute of National Remembrance by the Polish Parliament on 18 December 1998 and started its activities on 1 July 2000. However, this Act was amended many times in order to guarantee its full conformity with the principles of democratic society, in particular with the rule of law. This essay seeks to analyze compliance of the legal status and investigative function of the IPN with this rule.
Journal: International Journal on Rule of Law, Transitional Justice and Human Rights
- Issue Year: 4/2013
- Issue No: 4
- Page Range: 133-141
- Page Count: 9
- Language: English