In Poland, the government is taking steps to amend the criminal procedure code, driven by the recent death of Barbara Skrzypek, the secretary of the Law and Justice party, shortly after she was questioned by prosecutors. Although no direct link between her death and the questioning has been established, it has reignited conversations about the necessary reforms to ensure greater protections for witnesses. One of the central aspects of the planned changes is to grant witnesses the explicit right to have legal representation during investigative procedures that involve them.

Currently, the decision about whether a witness can have an attorney present during investigative procedures rests with the prosecutor. If the prosecutor deems the presence of an attorney unnecessary, they can deny this request, although the denial can be appealed. However, such appeals are processed internally within the prosecutor's office, raising concerns about the impartiality of the decision-making process. The Minister of Justice has emphasized that the forthcoming legal modifications aim to bolster the protection of citizens' rights and enhance the integrity of the legal process.

The shift reflects a growing awareness and sensitivity to the rights of individuals within the Polish legal system, especially in light of public sentiment surrounding cases like that of Skrzypek. By ensuring that witnesses have the opportunity to consult with legal representatives, the government hopes to foster a more equitable legal framework and strengthen trust in judicial proceedings. These changes are anticipated to be discussed in the upcoming parliamentary sessions, underscoring the government's commitment to reforms based on civil rights enhancement.