A recent report outlining Poland’s wartime losses caused by German aggression and occupation has been prepared as a starting point for discussions within the German parliament and related forums. The Polish Foreign Ministry described the document as a basis for future conversations and a way to highlight a longstanding issue that remains unresolved in a just manner, casting a shadow over Polish-German relations. The embassy in Berlin was tasked with delivering the report to German lawmakers to stimulate debate and potential action.
In Berlin, there is a clear push for broader awareness. The Polish Embassy in Berlin is conducting an intensive information effort within the Bundestag to inform deputies about the reparations matter. Deputy Foreign Minister Arkadiusz Mularczyk, the government representative for compensation for damage from 1939 to 1945, discussed these plans in a public message. He noted that the reports will be distributed to all German parliamentarians through their offices, aiming to engage lawmakers across the political spectrum.
Following the Bundestag distribution, the plan includes reaching out to the Bundesrat and major German media outlets to ensure the issue remains visible in public and political discourse. Mularczyk indicated a broader information campaign in Germany to accompany the dispatch of the report, stressing the importance of giving partners in the European Union time to assess the material before engaging in dialogue again.
The letter accompanying the report underscores a key point: it raises a significant historical problem that has not been resolved fairly and honestly, which has affected Polish-German relations. The document also recalls the context of Poland’s losses during World War II and notes that after years of work, estimates place the total losses at over PLN 6.22 trillion. It emphasizes that while Germany has provided compensation to many countries, Poland, despite substantial human and property losses, has been overlooked.
Both living Polish citizens who remember the wartime atrocities and their descendants view the unresolved damages as an ongoing grievance. The deputy head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described this stance clearly, arguing that the issue remains a test of bilateral trust and accountability.
Germany’s stance on compensation, expressed at the end of 2022, was characterized as disappointing by Polish officials who continue to advocate for negotiations. This is set against a broader historical backdrop, including references to European documents that stress there is no statute of limitations for genocide and war crimes, as discussed during various international forums and meetings involving Polish and European leaders.
In the letter, the deputy head of Poland’s state department reiterates a readiness to initiate dialogue on compensation and expresses a commitment to meet and discuss the matter in different international settings. The aim remains to use the report as a catalyst for constructive conversation within relevant parliamentary committees and political groups of the German Assembly, with a clear message that Poland stands ready for dialogue and cooperation in finding a fair resolution.
The report on Poland’s wartime losses was first presented on September 1 of the previous year. A follow-up diplomatic note to the German side, signed by the Foreign Minister of Poland, outlined demands for compensation for material and immaterial losses totaling more than PLN 6.22 billion and for damages incurred during the occupation. In early January, the German Foreign Ministry replied that the issue of reparations is closed and that negotiations are not planned.
In April, the Polish government adopted a resolution emphasizing the need to address reparations and the broader Polish-German relationship in this area. In May, MPs from a left-leaning party raised a Bundestag question concerning compensation for other victims, including the Distomo massacre in Greece, and noted that similar discussions had arisen around Namibia. The interpellation referenced the German government’s position that reparations discussions were closed with respect to Greece, Italy, and Poland, while highlighting that the Distomo massacre victims had been partially compensated in Greece since 1997.
According to the report, Greece had suffered extensive wartime losses, with Greek civilians killed and infrastructure decimated, and Greek authorities have pursued additional reparations. The debate also touched on the Namibian context, where a joint statement negotiated with the Namibian government has generated controversy within Namibian society and has not received full formal approval from Namibian authorities. Historical accounts note the colonial violence in what was then German South-West Africa, including the 1904-1908 massacres of Herero and Nama peoples, which is widely cited as among the earliest genocides of the 20th century. Some organizations representing Herero and Nama communities have expressed dissatisfaction with proposed compensation terms as insufficient for the harm suffered.
The discussion includes a reminder of the broader pattern of accountability for Nazi-era crimes and the ongoing international interest in addressing historic injustices. Several actors emphasize that the dialogue around reparations is not finished and that victims and their families continue to seek recognition and redress.
Public attention to these issues continues, with various statements and reports underscoring the importance of addressing Poland’s wartime losses and the need for a thoughtful, transparent process that can heal historical rifts while upholding the memory of those who suffered.
Source: wPolityce