Polski hymn państwowy i jego prawnokarna ochrona
Polish national anthem and its protection in criminal law

Summary/Abstract: The subject of this study is the issue of criminal law protection of the Polish national anthem. The author presents regulations concerning the anthem’s matter in historical, constitutional and criminal law perspective. The analysis of criminal provisions leads him to the conclusion that in the current state of law the only basis for criminal liability for insulting the anthem are the provisions of the Code of Petty Offences (Article 49 § 2). This view is a polemic with the position of authors claiming that the basis for liability for insulting the anthem is Article 137 § 1 of the Penal Code. Taking into account the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Tribunal and based on a comparative legal analysis, the author questions the proposals aimed at decriminalizing the behaviors concerning the national symbols of Poland. He formulates a de lege ferenda postulate to supplement the content of Article 137 § 1 of the Penal Code so that it would also cover the Polish national anthem without any doubts as to interpretation. Solutions functioning in many European countries may be a model for the Polish legislator.

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