The Polish Kaczynski twins strike again: in their ruthless hunt for collaborators with the former Communist regime, the latest potential victim caused an uproar throughout the rest of the world - Bronislaw Geremek, one of the most preeminent member and supporter of the Solidarnosc movement that confronted the Communist regime in Poland. The Polish government has announced that it might withdraw the European Parliamentary mandate to Mr. Geremek because he refused to sign a statement regarding the status of his relations with the former Communist Secret Police, as required by the amended Law of Lustration in Poland. Geremek is currently a member of the European Parliament, representing his country within the Union legislative body, in the ALDE group. He was the head of Polish diplomacy from 1997 till 2000. Not to mention he is also a distinguished scholar, acclaimed for his interpretation on European Civilization and for his works on Medieval European period.
Therefore, the source of "evil" is Mr. Geremek's refuse to fill in a declaration regarding possible relations or cooperation with the former Communist Secret Police in Poland, as required from public persons, politicians or outstanding members of intellectual milieu. Mr. Geremek's "NO" to filling in the declaration might bring him an automatic ban from having access to representation or political public functions for more than 10 years, according to the law, on Polish and EU territory. The provision is included in the new Lustration Law, modified by the present conservative power, after its adoption in 1997 during the mandate of president Kwasniewski. Yet, the highly controversial piece of legislation is currently the object of a constitutional ruling from the Supreme Constitutional Court. The judicial instance will soon deliver its reading of the law and will state if the withdrawal procedure for Mr. Geremek's mandate is legal and constitutional.
Nevertheless, the signals Poland receives from high officials of EU or European countries are not encouraging. The timing is not excellent either. The announcement of the mandate issue for Bronislaw Geremek comes only short after the European Parliament has pushed the Polish government for reconsidering the opportunity of a legislation draft banning public debate in Polish schools over homosexuality. Hans-Gert Pottering, EP President has declared his support for Mr. Geremek's staying in office as MEP.
"Mr Geremek is a political personality of the highest esteem who has always stood up for democracy in his country and for European unification. We will examine all legal possibilities that he can continue his work", states a press release from Pottering's office, dated 25th of April.
Graham Watson, the ALDE group president has called Poland's move regarding Mr. Geremek "a witch hunt". In a comment published in Le Monde, Friday, 26th, Mr. Geremek explains his reasons for refusing to sign such a document:
"I had to sign several times a declaration stating that I have not collaborated with secret services. I did it in 2004, when I run for European elections. Yet, in March 2007, I have been asked again to sign such a document, under pressure of being denied my European parliamentary mandate, according to the new lustration law. It is true that such request is both humiliating and groundless, yet this is not why I decided to refuse to comply with such demand. Through this refusal, I am trying to express my attitude towards this new law. I find it unacceptable in a democratic Europe. This law will force through lustration procedures 400.000 to 700.000 individuals. A special institution, dubbed “The Institute for National Remembrance” has become the depositary of police archives and has obtained the right to pass judgments without the Justice having anything to say in this. Journalists, as well as teachers are subject to that procedure. I think that The Lustration Law in its current form violates moral rules and threatens the freedom of expression, media independence and university autonomy. It lays the ground for a form of ‘Ministry of Truth’ and of ‘Thought Police’. It disarms the citizen when confronted with calumnious campaigns, weakening the legal protection of his rights”.
The way lustration process took place in Central Europe, bearing in mind the case of the Czech Republic, Germany or Hungary, has proved there is no unique remedy for clearing the society of its residual heritage and unclear connections with the Communist period. There is one certainty: this process makes a lot of victims and their explanations for their deeds demands a patient reconsidering after the heat of headlines has passed away.
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Apr 27th, 2007
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