“It is difficult to imagine a more serious offence than the betrayal of the trust of the youngest people, those placed under someone’s protection.” – Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki
Poland has announced plans to double jail terms for paedophiles after a documentary on priest sex abuse sparked outrage in the country.
Convicted paedophiles could now face a maximum sentence of 30 years or, in the most serious cases, life in prison.
The documentary includes harrowing testimonies from victims and has been viewed more than 18 million times.
Correspondents say the conservative government, allied to the Catholic Church, is scrambling to react.
However the ruling Law and Justice party says the legal amendments have been in the works for months. The proposal will now go to the senate.
The announcement comes 10 days ahead of the European Parliament elections. Law and Justice is currently polling neck-and-neck with the European Coalition, a collective of opposition parties.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said it was the government’s “strong conviction” that suspended sentences should not apply in cases of paedophilia.
“It is difficult to imagine a more serious offence than the betrayal of the trust of the youngest people, those placed under someone’s protection,” he said.
“Therefore, people, who are guardians in various institutions, including all secular and Church institutions, all such persons will have to bear even more severe penalties.”
The documentary “Only Don’t Tell Anyone” (see below) includes secret camera footage of victims confronting priests about their alleged abuse. Some of the priests admit to the abuse.
Police have prevented the documentary from being projected on to the façade of churches in Warsaw and Gdansk. – BBC, 17 May 2019
Filed under: poland | Tagged: child rape, paedophile priests, roman catholic church, sex abuse cover-up, video | 2 Comments »
BHARATA BHARATI 