Poland’s Penal Code (1997) provides for the punishment of any person who, in violation of international law, compels persons hors de combat, protected persons and persons enjoying international protection to “serve in hostile armed forces”. 

In 2009, in its written replies to the Committee on the Rights of the Child concerning its initial report under the 2000 Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict, Poland stated: “In the light of current Polish penal regulations (art. 124 Pc), the forcing – against international law – of persons covered by international protection to join enemy armed forces, is considered a war crime.”