The Death Penalty in Poland and in Central and Eastern Europe

The death penalty was abolished in Poland and its Central and Eastern European counterparts as a consequence of European Union (EU) membership. With the ascent to power of populist political parties in the region, the death penalty continues to be a live topic. Calls for its reinstatement occur during times of domestic political crisis and as a stance against the EU. Historically, in Poland, lawyers and criminologists have opposed the death penalty, and the Catholic Church, which is hugely influential, is also now opposed to the death penalty. The chapter will approach the history and status of the death penalty from an interdisciplinary perspective that will focus on Poland, Hungary, and other states in the region, such as Belarus, where the death penalty is now imposed. It will identify the factors that underpin the drive for its reinstatement and explore the broader implications for public trust and the rule of law.