A/HRC/43/50/Add.3
Saving Jews during World War II in Markowa), work is underway to complete the MuseumMemorial Site on the site of the former German Nazi death camp in Sobibór. Co-running of
the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews is continued, which will implement a 10
million Euro project entitled “Jewish Cultural Heritage” within the framework of the
“Culture” programme co-financed by the EEA. Between 2016-2017 alone, the sum of grants
for institutions run or co-run by the Ministry, whose activities include caring for the memory,
culture and heritage of the Jewish people, amounted to over 104 million PLN. A
comprehensive presentation of the policy of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage
regarding Polish-Jewish relations is available (also in English) at the following
site:http://www.mkidn.gov.pl/pages/posts/dzialania-mkidn-w-obszarze-stosunkow-polskozydowskich-8112.php
47.
The reliable analysis clearly shows that the current Polish government pursues a
policy of nurturing Poland's multinational tradition on a much larger scale than that of any of
its predecessors.
48.
All avant-garde artists in Poland can act freely. It is worth highlighting the examples
of Krystian Lupa or Jan Klata, who exhibit their works abroad thanks to the funds received
under the “Niepodległa” Multiannual Programme 2017-2021.
Ad Part III C Identity and nationalism - paragraph 45, 47
49.
The Special Rapporteur makes serious allegations, unfortunately not supported by any
arguments. There is no marginalization and silencing of dissenting voices in culture in
Poland, nor is there any form of cultural engineering. The artists are free, and the authorities
do not interfere in any way with the content of what they present.
50.
The current government, which does not apply regrettable discriminatory practices
against anyone, is only restoring balance. It sees that, as the Special Rapporteur rightly points
out, Polish culture is not homogeneous - there are also conservative components, which any
responsible government should not forget, because they do not deserve the discrimination to
which they were consistently subjected over the years.
51.
The report also refers to Independence Day Celebrations.
52.
The role of the government is to ensure the security of the citizens and the right to
legitimately demonstrate their views. The Law and Justice government has fulfilled this role
impeccably. Marches on the occasion of Independence Day organized since the time
Zjednoczona Prawica (the United Right) took power in Poland are held without major
incidents.
53.
The Polish Constitution, in Article 13, prohibits the existence of organizations
promoting fascism, Nazism, communism, racial and national hatred and violence. Any
manifestation of such practices shall be punished and any illegal activities associated with
them prosecuted and stigmatized.
Ad Part III D Fundamentalism and extermism- paragraph 48,51, 52
54.
The Special Rapporteur suggests an increase in the importance of “Christian
fundamentalists” without giving any examples or explanations, such as the criteria for
recognising a Christian as a “fundamentalist”.
Separation of religion and state
55.
The Ministry of National Education agrees with churches and religious associations
(by agreement) the requirements for professional qualifications of religious teachers. The
rules of employing teachers of all faiths are the same, defined in the Act - Teacher's Charter
. Pedagogical supervision over religious instruction is exercised by the headmaster of the
school and the territorially competent school educational superintendent.
56.
It should be noted that in the report the Special Rapporteur very often quotes
statements of unspecified “interlocutors” which contain ready-made thesis, previously not
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