The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland Vasyl Bodnar, August 18, 2023. Getty Images/Anadolu/Metin Aktas
Ukraine is considering the possibility of introducing symmetric legislative steps in response to the bill proposed by Poland, which criminalizes the so-called propaganda of Bandera-ism. This position was expressed by Ukraine’s ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, during the “Facts After Facts” program on TVN24.
On September 29, the Polish President Karol Nawrocki submitted to the Sejm a bill to amend the Act on the Institute of National Remembrance and the Penal Code. The document provides for criminal liability for the so-called “propaganda of Bandera ideology” and denial of the Volyn tragedy. It also proposes to punish with three years’ imprisonment for publicly disseminating the ideology of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.
“propaganda of Banderaism”
– Karol Nawrocki
Bodnar stressed that the term “Banderite” in academic historiography has no scientific basis, and urged Ukrainians in Poland not to use symbols that evoke negative emotions.
“propaganda of totalitarianism or incitement of hatred, as well as the public dissemination of the ideology of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army”
– The text of the draft law, an official document
At the same time, he did not rule out the possibility that the Ukrainian parliament might adopt mirror decisions regarding the assessment of the actions of the Home Army and the Peasant Battalions, which took part in crimes against Ukrainians during World War II.
Earlier, 88 Ukrainian historians signed a letter criticizing the Polish draft law, calling it an attempt to unilaterally determine Ukrainians’ guilt in the Volyn tragedy. The Chancellery of the Polish President responded that such criticism serves the Kremlin’s interests.
“In their actions there are signs of criminal offenses provided for in Article 345 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code ‘Threats or Violence against a Law Enforcement Officer’ and Article 194 ‘Deliberate Destruction or Damage of Property’.”
– National Police of Ukraine
In summary, Ukraine is considering the possibilities of corresponding steps at the intergovernmental level, but emphasizes the need for legal justification and compliance with international norms, with a view to engaging in dialogue with the Polish side to reduce tensions in bilateral relations.