Born on 13th September 1950 in Warsaw.

Graduated from Warsaw University Law Faculty in 1972 and obtained the degree of Doctor of Legal Sciences from Warsaw University in 1978. Was awarded the doctorate honoris causa by University of South Carolina, Appallachian State University (both in the U.S.A.) and Odessa University (Ukraine).

Between 1972 and 1985 worked as research associate and then assistant professor at Warsaw University. From 1985 to 1989 - farm owner and operator.

Entered politics in 1989. Served as deputy prime minister and justice minister/prosecutor general in the government of Waldemar Pawlak (1993-1995), and as foreign affairs minister in the government of Leszek Miller (2001- 2004). Was prime minister between 1996 and 1997. Since 2006, academic teacher at University of Białystok.

In the Tenth Term Sejm of the Polish People's Republic, was deputy chairman of the Committee on National and Ethnic Minorities and member of the Constitutional Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee. In the First Term Sejm of the Republic of Poland was member of the Committee on National and Ethnic Minorities, Foreign Affairs Committee, Committee on the Europe Agreement, Special Committee to Consider the Proposed Act on Sejm Elections, Special Committee examining constitutional provisions of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and provisions introducing the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Constitutional Committee of the National Assembly. In the Second Term Sejm of the Republic of Poland, was member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Special Committee to Consider the Proposed Constitutional Acts on the Amendment of the Constitutional Act on the Procedure of Drawing up and Adopting the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, and chairman of the National Assembly Constitutional Committee. In the Third Term Sejm of the Republic of Poland was member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, European Integration Committee and National Assembly Regulatory Committee on the Adoption of Regulations of the National Assembly Convened in Connection with Oath-taking by the Newly Elected President of Poland.

From 1998 to 2000 - member of the Podlaskie Provincial Parliament.

Member of the Democratic Left Alliance Party.

Married, has two children.