Poland: Parliament passes controversial bill

Event

Poland’s lower house of parliament passed a bill on Saturday, February 3, criminalizing the expression of allegations that Poland was complicit in the Holocaust during World War II. Under the new law, individuals could face up to three years in prison for using the term “Polish death camps” or suggesting that the Polish nation or state was complicit with Nazi actions. After the bill was passed, leaders from a number of minority and opposition groups, including Jewish, Ukrainian, Tatar, and Russian groups issued a statement calling on President Andrzej Duda and his government to counteract all forms of anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and intolerance. President Duda has 21 days to either reject or sign the bill. Demonstrations in support of or against the proposed law may take place in the coming days and weeks.

Context

As of Monday, February 5, President Duda is expected to sign the bill. According to media reports, there has been an increase in anti-Semitic remarks on social media and from members of the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) in connection to the proposed law. Critics are concerned that the bill could be used to silence Holocaust survivors or historians. The PiS claims that the law is needed to protect the country’s reputation and remind the international community that Poles were also victims of the Nazis.

Advice

Individuals in Poland, particularly in Warsaw, are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all demonstrations as a precaution, and avoid talking about sensitive political subjects in public (including on social media).