Landmark Ruling on Trans Rights in PolandLink to Full ArticleHuman Rights Watch - Cristian González Cabrera
March 13, 2025 8:30AM EDT
In a significant step toward affirming the rights of transgender people in Poland, the country's Supreme Court has issued a landmark ruling that eliminates the requirement for trans people to involve their parents in gender recognition proceedings.
Until now, transgender individuals – whether child or adult – seeking to change their gender marker on official documents were required to sue their parents. This was due to a convoluted legal claim that there needs to be two opposing parties in any civil action ... This added unnecessary distress and legal complexities, including for trans people whose parents have died.
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Poland is a party, guarantees the rights to privacy and to equal recognition before the law, which incorporate the right to legal gender recognition, free from harmful or disproportionate obstacles.
While Poland's progress is commendable, the battle for trans rights is far from over. Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who promised during his campaign to introduce a simplified gender recognition process, now has an opportunity to follow through in consultation with Polish trans people. His government should act swiftly to introduce legislation upholding trans people's full right to self-identification, free from onerous requirements.--------------------------
Progress is being made. Good job, Poland!
