Deputies pass 400 amendments that aim to toughen nation's penal code

The Sejm passed almost 400 amendments to penal codes on Friday. The amendments affect three codes: penal, penal procedures and penal executive codes. The amendments passed with 378 deputies voting in favor of the measure. All the amendments are aimed at making penalties stricter and facilitating and expediting criminal proceedings. The deputies wanted to make penalties stricter for the most egregious crimes against human health, life and jurisdiction. The amendments will affect 80 types of offenses and allow courts to sentence perpetrators more severely. The Senate will soon begin debating the penal law adopted by the Sejm. Although many experts consider Poland's penal code the strictest in Europe, former Justice Minister Lech Kaczynski voiced his disappointed with the amendments, saying they favored criminals. (Rzeczpospolita, Aug. 25-26, p. A1) M.T.