Commentary on the Judgment of the Court of Appeal in Białystok of 30 October 2014 (II AKa 221/14, LEX No. 1602865)

Abstract

The Court of Appeal in Bialystok in its judgment of 30 October 2014 (II AKa 221/14, LEX No. 1602865) stated that the use of violence, unlawful threat or insult solely on the grounds of someone’s national, ethnic, racial or religious affiliation can not find any rational and widely accepted explanation. This is in the meaning of Article 115 § 21 of Polish Criminal Code an action for no reason or, of course, a trivial reason. According to the court, the qualification of the act under Article 119 § 1 of Polish Criminal Code or from Article 257 of Polish Criminal Code does not preclude the application of the provision of Article 57a § 1 of Polish Criminal Code. The author explains the terms “reason”, “trivial reason” and “no reason”, as well as “motivation that deserves special condemnation”. The author critically refers to the submitted thesis, considering that the legislator, by making the mark of the type discussed for the reasons, considers it important. Lack of rationality in wrong-doer act cannot be identified with a inconsequential reason or lack of reason.