09:46 07.02.2018

Polish president signs law on Institute of National Remembrance

2 min read
Polish president signs law on Institute of National Remembrance

Polish President Andrzej Duda has signed amendments to the law on the Institute of National Remembrance - Commission for the Prosecution of Crimes against the Polish Nation, which stipulates, among other things, punishment for "crimes of Ukrainian nationalists," the Associated Press has reported.

Thus, the changes previously approved by the parliament have come into force.

At the same time, the head of state said that, in practice, it would be almost impossible to punish violators of the new law, especially if violations are committed outside of Poland.

Duda said earlier on Tuesday, February 6, that he planned to appeal to the Constitutional Court of Poland with the request to assess the innovations. Thus, the president does not exclude that modifications to the law can still be introduced.

Duda said on February 6 that he would sign changes to the law.

"What is the significance of the proposed act? It touches on an issue that is extremely painful and very delicate. It has to do with World War II, with martyrology, primarily of the Polish nation. Almost six million of our citizens lost their lives in World War II. I reiterate most emphatically 'citizens of Poland' and among them there were approximately three million Polish citizens of Jewish nationality," Duda said in a special address in the presidential palace in Warsaw.

He also noted that the changes introduced were not a new law and that they had been discussed during the year, including with Israel.

"An expectation was voiced that the act and its provisions should in no way impede artistic and scientific activities," Duda said.

The Polish president did not say anything in his speech about Ukraine, whose parliament urged him to veto changes adopted by the parliament.

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