Glosa do wyroku Sądu Okręgowego Warszawa-Praga z 13 lutego 2018 r., sygn. akt VI Ka 720/17
Commentary to the judgment of the Warszawa-Praga District Court of 13 February 2018, ref. no. VI Ka 720/17

Summary/Abstract: In the case assessed by the court, the artist Jan Kapela changed the words of the Polish national anthem in such a way that they expressed support for the reception of refugees by Poland. For this act he was convicted pursuant to Article 49 § 2 of the Code of Petty Offenses, for the violation of legal provisions protecting the coherence of the anthem. However, the interpretation of these provisions and of subsequent offenses requires an evaluation of behaviors potentially violating the law by disrespecting the anthem. Not all behavior can be qualified as contrary to the law and constitute an offense. The law does not prohibit modifications of the anthem. An individual enjoys freedom of expression, which is subject to special protection when the statement relates to current social or political issues. The reception of refugees by Poland was such an issue. Since the law impacts individual rights by restricting freedom of expression, its application must not be based on vague reverence and ensure respect for those individual freedoms through restrictive interpretation.

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