The ADC has condemned a new measure, passed by the lower house of the Polish Parliament on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, that makes it a crime to use statements such as “Polish death camps” or any other remarks ascribing blame to Poland or Polish citizens for the crimes committed during the Holocaust. Anyone breaching that law, anywhere in the world, faces up to three years in prison. The ADC has urged the Polish government and Polish President to reconsider this bill, which still needs the assent of the upper house and the president.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“This punitive law is highly counterproductive and will only harm Holocaust memory and responsibility. Any attempt to dilute or diminish the complicity or the crimes committed in Poland by Polish individuals or groups during the Holocaust is a grievous insult to the victims and to the survivors and must be vigorously opposed. While we accept that the terms “Polish death camps” are inaccurate and disfigure history since those killing centres were built and managed by the Nazi regime, one cannot ignore the role of Polish citizens and groups like Armia Krajowa in either collaborating with the Nazis or in murdering Jews. Holocaust education and research, now dramatically restricted, is the way forward, which would naturally include teaching about those courageous Poles who risked their lives to save Jews. We urge the Polish government and the Polish President to re-think this regrettable legislation.”
Media enquiries: Dr Dvir Abramovich on 9272 5677
The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission, founded in 1979, is Australia’s leading civil rights organization fighting racism through educational programs that combat bigotry, prejudice and all forms of hatred.
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on (03) 9272 5677.