Monika Horna-Cieślak was sworn in today in the Sejm after being elected Ombudsman for Children in November. From this moment, she can formally begin her five-year term in the position.
In the oath, the Ombudsman for Children pledges to protect the rights of the child, guided by the provisions of the law, the best interests of the child, and the welfare of the family. The appointment of the Ombudsman for Children is made by the Sejm with the Senate’s consent, and the term of office lasts five years. A person cannot serve more than two consecutive terms as spokesperson.
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Monika Horna-Cieślak was the sole candidate for the office. The candidature was submitted by KO, Lewica, PSL-TD, and Polska 2050 – TD. She succeeds Mikołaj Pawlak.
Horna-Cieślak is a lawyer and a long-time advocate and organizer, active in defending children’s rights since she was 19. She provides legal aid to young people facing mental, physical, and sexual violence. In her work for children, she engages in legislation, training, and coordination of educational projects.
She has led social campaigns, helped build a child-friendly justice system, and offered individual guidance to clients of the Children’s Aid Center as part of a collaboration with the Empowering Children Foundation. She serves on the Human Rights Committee of the Supreme Bar Council, chairs the Children’s Rights Department, and is a member of the Commission for Cooperation with Courts of the Warsaw District Bar Council. She is also associated with the Council of Europe’s HELP programme.
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Horna-Cieślak contributed to numerous legal acts protecting children, notably the Law on the Protection of Minors, commonly referred to as the Kamilek Act of Częstochowa. She also helped draft legislation that ensures access to a psychologist for minors with expanded rights, developed in collaboration with young people themselves.
In November, the Senate approved Monika Horna-Cieślak’s appointment as ombudsman for children’s rights. In her Senate address, she emphasized the Office of the Ombudsman for Children should be a true voice for young people, a place where every child is valued, every child has potential, and every child is respected for who they are.
She stressed the goal of the office to avoid belittling, segregation, or ranking children, insisting that every child holds equal worth.
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[Source: wPolityce]