Time has not softened the reality that war crimes, including genocide, carry no statute of limitations. This was the core message delivered by Deputy Foreign Minister Arkadiusz Mularczyk in Vienna during the opening of the conference titled “Guilt and Responsibility: International Legal Consequences of Armed Conflicts in Europe in the 20th and 21st Centuries.” He underscored that crimes committed in war require accountability, regardless of how much time has passed or how the geopolitical landscape has shifted.
In his remarks, the deputy emphasized the justice deficit that followed the Second World War, drawing particular attention to Poland, which endured occupation first by Germany and then under Soviet dominance. He argued that Poland’s experience illustrates a broader pattern where postwar justice lagged behind the scale of suffering and the harm suffered by nations and individuals alike.
Legal obligation of the government
The Polish government, guided by a strong sense of historical responsibility and duty to its citizens, contends that pursuing justice long after conflicts end is not merely a moral imperative. It is a legal duty that binds the state to address past wrongs and to uphold the rule of law in international relations. This commitment, as described by Mularczyk, reflects a principled stance that weighs heavily on the legitimacy of international norms and bilateral ties alike.
From his perspective, the absence of accountability for past injustices casts a shadow over neighborly relations and can distort the international legal order. He argued that unresolved questions of responsibility for historical wrongs can hamper trust, complicate diplomatic engagements, and influence how neighboring countries interact on a range of security and policy issues.
The deputy noted that the dynamics between adjacent states are particularly sensitive to unresolved historical grievances. When justice for past acts remains elusive, the potential for misperceptions, misaligned priorities, and continued tension grows, affecting cooperation on current regional challenges and future stability. This concern applies not only to Poland but to the broader European neighborhood, where memory and law intersect with present-day diplomacy and security policy.
Ultimately, the message conveyed is that legal accountability for past conduct is not a relic of history but a living principle that shapes contemporary state behavior and the architecture of international relations. The discussion during the Vienna conference aimed to illuminate how legal scholars, policymakers, and practitioners can together advance mechanisms that ensure accountability while supporting reconciliation and lasting peace.
gah/PAP
Source: wPolityce