Beit Polska – The Union of Polish Progressive Jewish Communities in Poland and the European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ) are concerned about the Amended Act on the Institute of National Remembrance – Commission for Prosecution of Crimes against the Polish Nation and some other Acts as passed by Lower House of Poland’s Parliament on 26th of January 2018.
We agree that it is inappropriate to call German Nazi Death Camps located on Polish soil “Polish Death Camps,” but the legislation as drafted is much wider than that one issue. It also includes legally undefined terms that could be subject to many interpretations with severe consequences. In addition, we consider it draconian and disproportionate for the legislation to impose substantial fines and possible prison sentences for misuse of words.
It is important the horrors of the Holocaust are not forgotten and future generations learn from them so that these are never repeated anywhere in the World. The present drafting of the Act has the real danger of inhibiting discussion, investigation and commemoration of the tragic events that took place on Polish soil.
We would urge the Polish Parliament and President to repeal or revise this legislation.
For more information, contact:
Beit Polska: Marek S. Jezowski, Chairman; +48 501 646 566; beit.polska@wp.pl
EUPJ: Miriam Kramer, Chairman; Chairman@eupj.org
About the partnering organizations:
Beit Polska – The Union of Polish Progressive Jewish Communities in Poland is a registered Polish religious community established in 2009 in Warsaw made up of three constituent communities and supporting three other progressive communities. Beit Polska, in turn, is affiliated with the EUPJ and through it with the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ).
The European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ) is the umbrella organisation linking and supporting over 170 Liberal and Reform communities in 17 European countries and is one of the seven regions of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ). The WUPJ with its headquarters in Jerusalem is the largest movement of affiliated Jews in the world with 1.8 million members. www.eupj.org
The World Union encourages its congregations and supporters to get involved and take a stand against such legislation. Action suggestions:
- Draft statements, letters, or articles in opposition to the draft Polish law, making clear that this law is unacceptable to the global Jewish community.
- Send to the highest Polish representation in your area, such as the Polish Consul General, their Ambassador to the UN, Polish Embassy, or any other representatives.
- Raise awareness about this draft law through social media, local newspapers, etc.