H.E. Hanna Suchocka
Biography

Ambasador Suchocka is a lawyer. She lectured and conducted her research at various Universities in Poland and abroad. She is the author of numerous publications and a frequent public speaker on topics including human rights, democratic transformation, European integration and the Holy See.

She has been appointed as a member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences by John Paul II.. Ambassador Suchocka is not only interested in law in books but also in law in action, put to the test of reality. This, her social sensitivity, as well as her interest in and dedication to human rights prompted her to engage in the political life of the country. She was elected as a Solidarity candidate to the first Polish Parliament initiating the political transformation in 1989. Only 3 years later she was elected as Prime Minister, the first female prime minister in the history of the country. From 1997 to 2000, she served as Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Since 2001, Ms. Suchocka has been Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the Holy See.

She has also been very active in the Council of Europe including as a Member of the Parliamentary Delegation of the Republic of Poland for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and as vice- chairperson of the Assembly between January and October 1992. At present, she is a member of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (‘‘Venice Commission’’).

It would be difficult to list all the awards received by Ambassador Suchocka. Here are just some examples: Honoris causa degrees of the University of Oklahoma (1995), Academy of Theology in Cracow (2005), the Golden Medal of the Jean Monnet Foundation for Europe in Lausanne, awarded for action towards the promotion of human rights and European integration (1992); the High order Grand Croce dell’Ordine Piano of the Holy See (2004), Grand Croce dell’Ordine di Malta “Pro Merito Melitensi” (2005).

Synopsis