In Poland, the 1997 Constitution,1 which contains general equality and antidiscrimination clauses, as well as a guarantee of equality between men and women is essential to the legal framework on gender equality. Other universal sources of law are laws, ordinances and ratified international agreements (Article 87 of the Constitution). According to Article 95 of the Constitution, legislative power in the Republic of Poland shall be exercised by the two Chambers of Parliament (the Sejm and the Senate). Legislative initiative is mostly exercised by the Government. Draft laws may also be presented by groups of 15 Deputies or 15 Senators, as well as the President and at least 100 000 citizens (Article 118 of the Constitution). In order for a draft law to become law, it has to be passed by a regular majority of votes by both Chambers of Parliament and receive the approval (signature) of the President, who is the body ordering its promulgation in the Journal of Laws of the Republic of Poland (Dziennik Ustaw). The President may refuse to sign the law and refer the bill with his reasoned objections back to the Sejm for reconsideration; such presidential veto might be overridden by the Sejm with a qualified majority. The Council of Ministers, (its President and particular ministers) are authorized to enact executive ordinances when there is a specific legal basis (delegation) for it in an act issued by Parliament (Article 92 of the Constitution). The system of administration of justice in Poland consists of common courts (regional, district and appellate), and administrative courts and military courts. The Supreme Court performs supervision over the common and military courts (Article 183(1) of the Constitution). Together with the Constitutional Tribunal and the Tribunal of State those courts form a power that is independent from the other state powers (Article 173(1) of the Constitution. Legislative acts (laws and ordinances) can be subjected to constitutional control exercised by the Constitutional Court. The President of the Republic may, before signing a bill, refer it to the Constitutional Tribunal for adjudication upon its conformity to the Constitution. He is obliged to refuse to sign a bill which the Constitutional Tribunal has judged not to be in conformity to the Constitution (Article 122 of the Constitution). Also every citizen is empowered to lodge an individual constitutional complaint challenging the constitutionality of a law, yet only in the situation when this law was the base for an individual and final decision or verdict in his case (Article 79 of the Constitution). They may also refer to the Human Rights Defender (RPO) with a motion for assistance in protection of one's freedoms or rights infringed by organs of public authorities (Article 80 of the Constitution). In such cases, the RPO may initiate proceedings on behalf of the citizen in civil, penal or administrative matters, as well as join proceedings that are already on-going (Article 14 of the Law on the Human Rights Defender). Since 2010 the RPO also exercises the tasks of the equality body, responsible for equal treatment. Independent from the RPO's activities, responsible for the monitoring of equal treatment, is the Government Plenipotentiary for Equal Treatment, whose competences are defined by the Antidiscrimination Law. In January 2016, the Government Plenipotentiary for Equal Treatment was renamed the Government Plenipotentiary for Civil Society and Equal Treatment as a result of additional duties being transferred to the plenipotentiary's office.
