Who’s to know… is it discrimination?

In today’s society, the fight against discrimination is an important aspect of social life and human rights.

However, the concept of discrimination often raises many questions and controversies. Who is responsible for hearing and resolving discrimination cases? Is it the responsibility of individuals, employers or state authorities? This article looks at the most important legal aspects related to discrimination and tries to answer these questions.

The most important legal acts

In Poland, there are many legal acts that regulate issues related to discrimination. One of the most important documents is the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, which guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination due to, among others, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.

Another key legal act is the Equal Treatment Act, which details the principles of counteracting discrimination and the responsibility of public institutions and employers for ensuring equal treatment of citizens.

Types of discrimination

Discrimination can take many forms, both overt and covert. We distinguish, among others: racial, gender, age, religious, sexual and disability discrimination. Any type of discrimination is unacceptable and subject to prosecution in accordance with applicable law.

Shifted (reverse) burden of proof in discrimination cases

In cases of discrimination, we often talk about a shifted burden of proof. This means that a person or institution accused of discrimination must prove that its conduct was justified and did not violate the principle of equal treatment. This approach aims to make it easier for victims of discrimination to claim their rights, but it is also controversial, especially in the case of false accusations.

Your suggestions

To counteract discrimination, it is important that every citizen takes an active role and knows how to recognize cases of unfair treatment. Here are some suggestions for how we can work together to fight discrimination:

• Legal awareness – understanding your own rights and obligations in the context of equal treatment;
• Victim support – providing support to people who have experienced discrimination;
• Educating society – promoting the values of tolerance and equality in education;
• Reporting – reporting incidents of discrimination to law enforcement authorities.

Recommended articles

If you want to learn more about discrimination and counteracting it, we recommend reading the following articles:

1. “How to recognize discrimination and what are its legal consequences?”
2. “The role of non-governmental organizations in the fight against discrimination”
3. “Discrimination in the workplace – what are your rights?”

Fighting discrimination is a social task that requires the involvement of each of us. Understanding rights and responsibilities in this area and taking active action are key elements in building a more just society where everyone has equal opportunities and rights.