In a resolution, the Polish Sejm called on the German government to accept political, historical, legal and financial responsibility for all the consequences suffered by the Republic of Poland and its citizens as a result of the instigation of World War II by the Third German Reich.
The resolution stressed that German aggression and its organised occupation and systemic genocide “caused immense harm, suffering, as well as material and immaterial losses in our homeland. The atrocities of the German occupation involved various forms of enslavement, forced labour, kidnapping, maiming, raping, murdering and murdering children, women and men – citizens of the Republic of Poland, as well as obliterating traces of genocide and war crimes”.
The draft resolution points out that the Republic of Poland has never received compensation for the personal and material losses caused by the German state. It emphasises that it has also never received compensation for the enormous harm caused to Polish citizens.
“The claim that these claims have been legitimately withdrawn or are time-barred has no basis, neither moral nor legal ones. The injustice of millions of Poles will cry out until it is justly repaired,” stressed the authors of the resolution and added that the losses suffered because of German aggression against Poland in 1939-1945 had been estimated by recognised experts.
A report on the losses suffered by Poland because of German aggression and occupation during World War II was published on 1 September. It estimates that as a result of the Third Reich’s actions, Poland suffered losses of more than 6 trillion 220 billion PLN. A diplomatic note on the matter is expected to be sent to Berlin later this year. Negotiations with Germany on reparations will be conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Arkadiusz Słomczyński