Сrime of genocide in the polish penal law

Abstract

This paper discuses the crime of genocide, defined in criminal-law terms in Article 118 of the Polish Penal Code (hereinafter PC). The main aim of this study is to present the statutory elements (criteria) of this crime, as well as the means of penal response for committing it. The term "genocide" was coined by Polish lawyer Rafał Lemkin and was first used in practice during the Nuremberg Trial. The regulation of the issue of genocide by the Polish legislature stems from the obligations arising from ratification of the Convention on the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide. The crime of genocide was introduced into the Polish PC as recently as in 1997, but this does not mean that it had not been punishable before. The penalization of this act was contained in the provisions concerning the protection of human life, health, freedom, dignity, family and care and other legal goods