News
AEDH received two answers to its call for information on neo-fascist websites
AEDH received the following two answers to its call for information on neo-fascist websites
Councilmen express their regret
13.01.2012
- It could be an accident, a mistake. One must have courage to admit it and to apologize". What was a standard before the war is inadmissible toady – stressed Paula Sawicka, the President of Open Republic Association.Promotion of anti-Semitism?
24.12.2011
In connection with publication by the Warsaw Town Hall of a calendar for 2012, which is supposed to promote Warsaw by, without limitation, a pre-war anti-Semitic poster, the members of the Management Board of Open Republic sent a letter to the President of Warsaw, Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz.Call for information on the existence of neo-fascist website in your country
13.12.2011
Dear members,
An AEDH delegation went to Warsaw, Poland, in November 2011, notably in order to meet with the organisation Otwarta Rzeczpospolita, member of AEDH, working on the fight against discriminations and racism.
Otwarta alerted us to the rise of fascist groups in Poland, in particular through the existence of a neo-fascist website aiming at listing human rights and/or left-wing activists and people of foreign origins, considered by the website as “enemies to the Polish race”. This website is called Redwatch, it lists personal information of these people: name, surname, picture, address, sometimes phone number; and it stirs up hatred and violence against these people.
Resolution International Conference in Berlin
08.12.2011
Resolution International Conference
“Stop Hate Crime! NGO Approaches to Victim Assistance and Monitoring in Europe” efforts in the St Petersburg City Legislative Assembly to introduce prohibiting the so-called "propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism, transgenderism to minors"
22-25 November 2011, Berlin
Seminar organized under Polish Presidency
28.11.2011
A seminar entitled "Management models regarding combating and preventing people trafficking in EU states and Eastern Partnership states” will be held in Warsaw on November 30, 2011.
Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Coucil of 25 October 2011
28.11.2011
Regulation EU No 1168/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2007/2004 establishing a European Agency for the Management of the Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union.
Denmark allows homosexual marriage
28.11.2011
From the summer in Denmark, homosexual couples will be allowed to marry at the state Evangelical Lutheral Church.
Medal awards for persons “of merits for tolerance”
17.11.2011
The medals “For persons of merit for tolerance” were awarded on November 16 in the Jewish Theater in Warsaw. It was the 14th edition of this event. This distinction is awarded by "Tolerance" Foundation. This year, the winners were: Professor Danuta Hübner, Archbishop Abel, Father Adam Boniecki, Professor Ronald Hill, Professor Barbara Engelking, Jacek Leociak, Ewa Ewart and Jerzy Jedlicki, the Chairman of the Program Board of Open Republic Association. Our congratulations to Jerzy and to all winners.
Statement of the Management Board of the Open Republic regarding Tomasz Pietrasiewicz
17.11.2011
The information on placing a dummy explosive material on the window sill of Lublin apartment of Tomasz Pietrasiewicz, the founder and head of Brama Grodzka NN Theater Center, which documents the Jewish heritage of Lublin raises our indignation and highest concern. We express solidarity with Tomasz Pietrasiewiczi and we admire his activity, which eh does not intend to cease in spite of repeated attempts to intimidate him. We are deeply concerned about the fact that this is yet another attack on him and one of the numerous – especially recently – crimes of this type, the perpetrators of which were not found. We appeal to the prosecuting authorities, prosecutor and judiciary bodies as well as to all state administration bodies to do their best not to let the offenders go unpunished.
The Management Board of Open Republic Association
Antidiscrimination workshops at a primary school
16.11.2011
On November 16, 2011, at Willy Brandt Polish-German School of Meetings and Dialog in Warsaw the antidiscrimination workshops were conducted by Maciej Wapiński and Magda Utracka from Open Republic Association. Nearly 30 pupils of primary school had an opportunity to talk to trainers on the problems connected with intolerance. The participants of the workshop played and, at the same time, learned the basic terms connected with discrimination. During the workshops they could learn how to cope with such problems. These workshops were conducted outside the framework of the project.
Appeal of the Management Board of Open Republic Association
07.11.2011
Ninety three years ago Poland regained independence. After long period of bondage our state reappeared on the map of Europe and of the world, which, thanks to this, became more just and richer, because it became more diverse. This is why the upcoming anniversary of November 11 [Independence Day] should be the holiday of freedom and democracy ensuring equal rights to all citizens – provided that they do not intend to limit freedom and rights of other people – and holiday of openness and tolerance excluding the use of violence. Open Republic Association, as the member of 11 November Coalition, appeals to all its members and supporters to enjoy this holiday at the meeting of Colorful Independent in such mood and spirit – of freedom, openness, and respect for otherness. Rejecting aggression and violence we will firmly oppose those, who would like to poison our holiday with slogans on exclusion and condemn. Let our participation on peaceful demonstrations be the reflection of our support for the idea of Independent Poland, which builds civic society – democratic, diverse and just.
Management Board of Open Republic Association against Anti-Semitism and Xenophobia
Citzen's guide
07.11.2011
What can we do when we encounter hate speech?
Read in our Citzen's guide.
RACIST HIP-HOP?
04.11.2011
Announcement of editorial staff of “Never Again”:
Songs about gassing Jews, shooting Roma, burning homosexuals – editorial staff of antifascist magazine “NEVER AGAIN” reveals racist hip-hop in Poland.
OR at the 5th meeting of Coalition "Education for Equality and Diversity"
04.11.2011
On October 28 at the seat of Lambda Association in Warsaw the fifth meeting of the coalition "Education for Equality and Diversity". Open Republic was represented by Natalia Wiszniewska.
The participants of the meeting discussed on recommendations regarding inclusion of antidiscrimination education in the formal education system in Poland, goals of the strategy and further plans of the coalition.
ISP seminar: Integration of migrants, social cohesion and public safety – discussion on the dilemmas of multi-cultural context
31.10.2011
On November 7, at the seat of the National Agency of Information and Foreign Investments - ul. Bagatela 12 in Warsaw, a seminar "Integration of migrants, social cohesion and public safety will take place – a discussion of the dilemmas of multi-cultural context", which is organized by the Institute of Public Affairs.
Verdict regarding a refusal to let a Roma into the Poznań club
31.10.2011
On October 24 the Regional Court in Poznań issued a verdict regarding Adam G., who was refused entrance to the Poznań club Cuba Libre in December 2010 due to his Roma descent. After the trail the Court dismissed the statement of claim.
Test on tolerance for candidates for policemen
24.10.2011
A set of 60 questions regarding tolerance was developed by the team appointed by the Chief Head of the Police. It has been in force since June 2011" – we read in the feature by Agnieszka Drabikowskia "The Police do not employ homophobes".
Fascists invaded Hajnówka
14.10.2011
Polish admirers of Adolf Hitler showed their activity again. This time they painted swastikas at the edge of Białowieska Forest. The prosecuting bodies still cannot find the extreme rightist offenders, who carried out several anti-Semitic and racial actions in Podlasie region.
Program on Open Republic’s antidiscrimination workshops on Polish Radio Channel 4
10.10.2011
Antidiscrimination workshops started last year and the organizers say that progress can be noticed – Some problems occur with acquiring schools, as not all headmasters want such workshops to be carried out – says Natalia Wiszniewska in today’s program of Channel 4 of the Polish Radio.
Report 'Respect for and protection of persons belonging to minorities: 2008-2010'
05.10.2011
On September 29th 2011, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) launched its report Respect for and protection of persons belonging to minorities: 2008-2010 as part of the 5th Warsaw Seminar on Human Rights organised by the Polish EU Presidency on September 29th and October 1st 2011. The report deals with people belonging to ethnic, linguistic, national and other minorities.
We Watch the Evil Grow
04.10.2011
It all begins with gestures, single words, graffiti, desecrated monuments that we ignore.
The picture of a huge swastika painted on the car of Dariusz Libionka, a Holocaust historian and the head of the research department of the Majdanek Museum was published by "Gazeta" of 21 September ("Czas patriotów" (The Time of Patriots). Soon after the phones started ringing at the Open Republic with questions about the attitude that the police, the public prosecutors, courts to such incidents, about the role of the politicians.
Stop to the pogroms against the Roma people in Bulgaria !
Stop to the pogroms against the Roma people in Bulgaria !
First “Roma Pride” in Europe by the European Grassroots Antiracist Movement
Europe, Thursday, September 29th 2011,
For some days, riots with a racist connotation are taking place in Bulgaria against Roma people. These riots are the most important troubles in the country for years. About 2,200 people, in about 20 cities around the country, including Sofia, have been involved in these acts of violence that started after a murder by an individual close to a local crime boss in Katunitsa.
Another dimension of Białystok
27.09.2011
On 30 September an important debate will take place in Białystok during the festival “Another dimension – Neighbors”, which started yesterday: Multi-culture – richness or burden? It has been inspired by the neo-Nazi incidents that happened in the recent weeks. The participants: Elżbieta Ficowska, Anna Grudzińska, Paula Sawicka [President or OR], Paweł Winiarski, and Dominik Sołowiej will be the moderator.
Football fans apologize
26.09.2011
Today we received the information that two wreaths with ribbons were laid at the monument in Umschlagplatz at ul. Stawki with the following text: FANS OF JAGIELLONIA BIAŁYSTOK – WE APOLOGIZE and WE APOLOGIZE – FANS OF LEGIA. Thank you. Open Republic
Attack on Dariusz LIbionka
26.09.2011
Someone painted a big swastika sign on Darek Libionka’ s car. Some time ago, someone threw petards on his house. Libionka is the editor-in-chief of the annual publication “Jewish Holocaust” and the head of scientific section of Majdanek Museum. He often acted as a court expert in the trials against the extreme nationalists charged of shouting fascist slogans.
Go away, this is a sin
26.09.2011
Paula Sawicka stresses that the Catholic Church is partly responsible for intensification of manifestations of hatred. “After Bronisław Geremek’s death there were people who marched in Warsaw with a banner saying; “Thank you God that you took him away". They stood in front of churches. Not a single parish priest told them: go away, this is a sin. They stood in front of the cathedral, where a holy mess for Geremek was celebrated. I waited for any of the Church high rank representatives to mention this incident and to state that it is a sin, that it is evil. I waited in vain” – Paula Sawicka recalled the event, which took place three years ago.
Press release on OR’s debate in Dziennik Polonijny in Canada
23.09.2011
Witold Liliental was invited to participate in the debate organized by OR "Two Homelands – two patriotisms" in Warsaw. We are very happy, since we deeply believe in the idea of tolerance and dialog. We present Mr. Liliental’s impressions sent from Poland – wrote Dziennik.
Will Prosecutor General stop xenophobia?
23.09.2011
The number of such incidents in a short time and in certain place – in the area of Białystok appeal causes my concern. My meeting with the head of ABW next week will focus on this problem. We will talk about the recognition of the problem by the services that should combat this phenomenon – said Prosecutor on Radio ZET.
Reconciliation in Toruń
21.09.2011
The sound of Jewish songs accompanied the unveiling of a plaque at ul. Szeroka in Toruń commemorating Rabbi Zwi Hirsch Kalischer. – This is the most beautiful gift that we could get in Toruń – stated the guests from Israel. The poles and Jews gathered in the place of this event exchanged the sign of peace.
On anti-discrimination workshops in TV "Question for breakfast" program
14.09.2011
Can one learn tolerance? In September, the subsequent edition of the free-of-charge anti-discrimination workshops of Open Republic began. The project “Evil may grow – against hatred” is addressed to the students of Warsaw gymnasia and high schools. Jacek Żakowski, Natalia Wiszniewska, representing OR and Łukasz Łubiński, the high-school student participated in the discussion with Beata Sadowska and Wojciech Jagielski.
Racist Białystok – yet another anti-Semitic incident
12.09.2011
Devastation of the old Jewish cemetery at Bema is another attack of nationalists in Podlasie region. Earlier the monument in Jedwabne and synagogue in Orla were attacked with anti-Semitic writings, Polish-Lithuanian plates with names of villages were destroyed, and fire was put to the mosque in Białystok. Last week the police arrested four teenagers from Krynki, who are suspected of promoting fascist ideas.
Who apologizes for Jedwabne?
08.09.2011
The monument in Jedwabne, commemorating the tragic death of Jews from this town, who were gathered in a barn and burnt alive on 10 July 1941. Swastika signs and writings “I do not apologize for Jedwabne" appeared on the monument. In Warsaw, the banners signed by the fans of football clubs appeared with the writing "WE apologize for Jedwabne".
Appeal of the Management Board of Open Republic Association
1.09.2011
Open Republic, Association against Anti-Semitism and Xenophobia approaches all politicians participating in the current election campaign, especially those, who are related to Podlasie province, and asks them to take a firm and clear position on the recent cases of nationalist, xenophobic, and anti-Semitic crimes.
Anti-Semitic writings on the Monument in Jedwabne
31.08.2011
The swastika symbols and slogans "I do not apologize for Jedwabne!", "They were inflammable" appeared on the monument in Jedwabne commemorating the Jews, who were burnt there in 1941.
III Debate organized by Open Republic Association and Polski Theater
24.08.2011
III Debate organized by Open Republic Association and Polski Theater dedicated to Jan Józef Lipski on the 20th anniversary of his death and on the 35th anniversary of establishing KOR [Workers’ Defense Committee]
“Patriotism means not only respect and love for tradition but also a strict selection of the elements of this tradition…”
Racist Białystok
24.08.2011
Last night, in Białystok, the fire was put to the door of the Polish-Pakistan married couple. If not for a high threshold, which stooped the fire, the whole family could die. “We do not know how to live here” - Agnieszka and Jamal are really frightened.
Lithuanians from Sejny county feel intimidated
23.08.2011
District Prosecutor’s Office in Sejny instituted investigation regarding painting over the Lithuanian names of villages on the road plates in Puńsk municipality and insulting the Lithuanian monument – informed the Head of the Prosecutor’s Office Anna Wierzchowska.
The autumn edition of anti-discrimination workshops for schools
23.08.2011
In September, yet another series of free-of-charge anti-discrimination workshops conducted by Open Republic the “Evil may grow” project addressed to the students of Warsaw gymnasia and high schools will start. WE encourage the school headmasters and pedagogues to contact us about workshops.
MPs on racism
19.08.2011
Yesterday a parliamentary commission for national and ethnic minorities had its meeting. Open Republic participated in it, the same as “Never Again” Association, which presented the program of combating racism and xenophobia on the stadiums in the context of EURO 2012 championships.
Wide campaign of hate against gays and lesbians
17.08.2011
"Stories provided by representatives of gays and lesbians and numerous media releases clearly indicate that this group is the specific target of acts of violence and humiliation and of a wide campaign of hate...."
Appeal to the citizens of Poland
16.08.2011
The shocking fact of providing by Polish Prosecutor’s Office to Byelorussian authorities the information on the foreign bank account of the opposition activist Ales Białacki, which probably served as an alleged reason for arresting him and filing charges. (...) We appeal to all of you join the Amnesty International campaign of sending letters to Byelorussian authorities.
Multi-culture discussed on the Radio for You
In yesterday’s broadcast by Radio for You Anna Karna and Marek Wiernik discussed multi-cultural issues in Poland with Professor Piotr Balcerowicz, the philosopher and orientalist from the Warsaw University, Ton Wan Anh, the correspondent of Free Asia Radio, Asadullah Bhullar, President of the Pakistani community in Poland and Przemysław Wiszniewski from Open Republic Association.
Anti-Semitic writings again. This time on the synagogue in Orla
11.08.2011
"Jews to gas chambers", "All Poland for Poles", "White power" – such slogans were written with red spray on the synagogue in Orla. The locals are shocked and convinced that the perpetrators were not the members of then local community - writes Agnieszka Domanowska in Gazeta Wyborcza’ Białystok supplement.
"I do not accept, I do not connect, I do not enter."
04.08.2011
The analysis of reports registered by Dyzurnet.pl team shows that more and more illegal and harmful texts appear in the internet.
An interview with Professor Monika Płatek on TOK FM radio
“In Poland there are people, who have the same opinions and outlook as the Norwegian murderer. Some of them may just talk about it, but maybe it is dangerous? And maybe we need a public debate on our phobias – from homophobia to xenophobia” – said Professor Monika Płatek from the Law and Administration Faculty of the Warsaw University, who specializes in criminal law.
Massacre in Norway and Polish stadium bandits
26.07.2011
The Friday’s massacre in Norway gave an impulse to politicians to consider the Polish legal regulations related to protection of Polish democracy against the threat of fascist ideas and protection of citizens against the rightist extremists. We may expect amendments to the Penal Code expanding penalization for hate speech notorious at the football stadiums and so far treated very leniently.
Opponents of promoting Jewish culture are everywhere
26.07.2011
Last week, an unusual graffiti was created on the wall of BIłgoraj Sport Center as a part of Isaac Bashevis Singer festival. It presented the fact of I.B. Singer, the Nobel Prize winner, who used to live in Biłgoraj. Unfortunately, there were people who disliked it very much.
Finnish sportsman and neo-fascist visiting Poland?
23.07.2011
Niko Puhakki, a Finnish neo-fascist representing Book and Honor – the major neo-Nazi organization in the world promoting racism and anti-Semitism will visit Poland. The visit will take place during the sport camp at Podhale, since Puhakki is also a sportsman who practices martial arts.
22 July 1942 - 22 July 2011 Umschlagplatz
23.07.2011
On July 22 the inhabitants of Warsaw met for the first time at Umschlagplatz to commemorate, together with the Second Generation Association, the anniversary of the beginning of liquidation of the Warsaw Ghetto.
Poles’ memory about Jedwabne
The public opinion survey conducted by Gazeta Wyborcza shows that more and more Poles admit that the Jews from Jedwabne were killed by the Polish inhabitants of the town and accept the apology by President Aleksander Kwaśniewski in 2001.
Hate speech in the internet – conference and panel
30.06.2011
On June 17 2011, at Dramatyczny Theater in Warsaw, “Wiedza Lokalna” Foundation organized a conference entitled "And what shall we do about it?" regarding aggression in the Polish web network.
2011.20.06 – about Jacek Kuroń on the 7th anniversary of his death
20.06.2011
Association of the Employees, Co-workers and Friends of Jan Nowak-Jeziorański Free Europe Polish Radio Station organized a meeting in Alina Perth-Grabowska’s Club (Radio Café) entitled “Jacek Kuroń – politician or social activist? (on the 7th anniversary of his death)”.
Announcement on anti-discrimination workshops
15.06.2011
The spring-summer cycle of free-of-charge anti-discrimination workshops realized under educational project “Evil may grow- against hate” has been completed".
OR at the conference "Formulating the guarantees of protection of human and civil rights and freedoms"
08.06.2011
On 23-24 May 2011 in Katowice the first forum devoted to the exchange of experience regarding "Formulating the guarantees of protection of human and civil rights and freedoms" was held. Monika Wieczyńska, the member of the Management Board of Open Republic Association participated in this forum.
President decorated the activists of NGOs
05.06.2011
President Bronisław Komorowski decorated the founders and activists of NGOs, who contributed to the development of civil society after 1989.
Game of measuring noses
31.05.2011
They took measures of heads and noses, examined the shape of ears, took notes – several students from the Krakow high school conducted a kind of race examination. In a special protocol of the teachers’ council we read "[these events] did not extend the adopted media standard". – anti-Semitic contents are also present in politicians’ statements. Students hear this – explains the school headmaster.“Death to hooked noses." Stadium hooligans accused
30.05.2011
Four hooligans, who put anti-Semitic banners on Resovia Rzeszów stadium, have been accused of public insulting of Jews. This is the effect of intervention of the General Prosecutor – we read in "Gazeta Wyborcza".Anti-discrimination workshops
10.05.2011
The Second World War and the Holocaust are not dealt with and not taught at history lessons in gymnasiums. During today’s workshops several persons could not answer the question about the dates of the outbreak and of the end of the Second World War. Therefore, should we devote more time during our workshops to teach the students about the Holocaust? – Paweł Kwiecień writes about anti-discrimination workshops.Radosław Sikorski against anti-Semitism in the internet
03.05.2011
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski filed a statement of claim against the publishers of "Fakt" and "Puls Biznesu" newspapers for entries on their website forums. On Friday he deposed at the prosecutor’s office. - Racism, aggression, hate speech on the Polish internet forums is present there to the unimaginable extent. People all over the world can read this and they may shape their opinion about Poland – says Sikorski to the journalists of "Gazeta Wyborcza".Holocaust Remembrance Day
21.04.2011
On 19th April 2011 we commemorated the 68th anniversary of the outbreak of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. This year, like in 1943, the date coincided with the beginning of the Feast of Pesach.On anti-discriminatory workshops conducted by OR in SWPS
21.04.2011
By invitation of Dr. Joanna Swekla, lecturer in the Department of Social Psychology of SWPS in Warsaw, on April 20 Przemysław Wiszniewski and Magda Utracka from OR delivered two speeches on anti-discriminatory workshops to the first-year students, as part of their course in social psychologyOpole against ONR
18.04.2011
On Saturday a march by ONR passed through the streets of Opole. The nationalists shouted slogans “Opole Silesia forever Polish!”, “One Catholic Poland”. Over 150 people took part in the counterdemonstration organized by the coalition Opole without Prejudice, which unites organizations promoting human rights and equal treatment.OR at the conference “I see nothing, I hear nothing, I say nothing – human rights at the university”
16.04.2011
A debate entitled “I see nothing, I hear nothing, I say nothing – human rights at university” took place on April 12 in the Department of Politics of the UMCS University in Lublin. The meeting was attended by Dr. Krzysztof Iwańczuk, representative of the UMCS rector for student affairs, Dr. Tomasz Kitliński from the Institute of the History of Modern Philosophy at UMCS, Piotr Pokorny, spokesman for student rights at KUL. OR was represented by Stefan Cieśla, member of the Management Board of the Association.Janusz Korwin-Mikke at the University of Opole
15.04.2011
In response to information from angry inhabitants of Opole, after acquainting ourselves with excerpts from the speech made by Mr. Janusz Korwin-Mikke at the University of Opole, we would like to point out to the University Rector Dr. Krystyna Czaja that organizing meetings, in the course of which xenophobic and racist views are blatantly expressed, conflicts with the idea and the goals of the institutions of higher education, and contributes to diminishing the prestige of the University of Opole. Click to read moreStatement
15.04.2011
The OR Management Board protests against assertions made by the legal counsel Sławomir Sawicki in his response to the suit against Jarosław Marek Rymkiewicz for infringement of personal interests of Agora SA. The letter by Mr. Sawicki includes contents which are, in our opinion, unacceptable: imputing anti-Polish attitudes to persons distinguished in the fight for independence of Poland and substantiating the allegation by behavior of the members of their families in their youth; equating being Polish with being catholic; provoking and exploiting anti-Semitic prejudices by generating associations between surnames which sound as if they might belong to Polish Jews and a conduct described as anti-Polish. Click to read our statementConference “Jewish shtetls do not exist anymore … Extermination of Jews in provincial Poland”
12.04.2011
The Łódź Branch of the Institute of National Remembrance and the Center for Jewish Studies of the University of Łódź invite participants to the international conference “Jewish shtetls do not exist anymore … Extermination of Jews in provincial Poland”. The conference will take place in the Institute of History of the UŁ on October 27-28, 2011.OR at the conference “Civil society – social capital”
01.04.2011
A conference inaugurating Forum for Public Debate “Civil society – social capital” was held on 24th March in the Column Hall of the Presidential Palace. The conference was entitled “Civil activity – opportunities and barriers”. Among participants were over two hundred representatives of non-governmental organizations and local authorities from the whole country, experts and journalists. OR was represented by Monika Wieczyńska.Paula Sawicka on the book “And There Was a Jewish Quarter in Warsaw…”
29.03.2011
This book is valuable because it contains two important, though subjective, stories about the same period. Their authors, who are considered to be the classic representatives of this genre, present to the readers the picture of the Warsaw Ghetto, each of them from his side of the wall – writes Paula Sawicka about the texts by Marek Edelman and Władysław Bartoszewski from the book And there was a Jewish Quarter in WarsawJerzy Jedlicki on Barbara Engelking’s book
29.03.2011
No matter if you read it or not, this story is sure to get you and once it does, it won’t let go. We have been running away from it for 65 years, looking away from it, filling time with stories of bravery, constantly denying or simply kept on quarrelling over how many Jews can fit into a barn. All that is over now: there is no way out. We will have to live with that story and handle it as well as we can, for it is our story- Jerzy Jedlicki’s comment on Barbara’s Engelking’s book “It is such a beautiful and sunny day.. The fates of Jews, who seeked refuge in the Polish villages 1942-1945”.Warsaw ghetto exhibition
29.03.2011
We recommend the exhibition „Behind the Wall. How the Warsaw ghetto was created. Photographs from 1940.”OR meets Secretary General of EGAM
27.03.2011
On March 21, a working meeting of EGAM Secretary General Benjamin Abtan with Jan Herczyński from OR was held. They discussed Open Republic’s experience relating to cooperation with anti-racist coalitions, such as EGAM and Coalition of November 11th. Benjamin Abtan related the plans of EGAM, such as continuation of Testing Night, which will be organized in summer, and will be extended to include the housing issues. EGAM plans to check, whether and to that extent discrimination practices, especially against ethnic minorities (immigrants, Roma), are used in decisions on the rent or sale of apartments.OR at the meeting of EGAM representative with the officials from the Municipal Office of Warsaw
27.03.2011
On March 21, at the Municipal Office of Warsaw, Benjamin Abtan, Secretary General of EGAM met with Karolina Malczyk-Rokicińska, the attorney of the President of Warsaw for equal treatment and with Anna Fomicz. Open Republic was represented by Jan Herczyński. Discussion focused on the results of the European Testing Night organized by EGAM in 15 European cities on March 5. Open Republic is a member of EGAM and participated in organizing the Testing Night; reports on the action are available on our webpage.Professor Jerzy Jedlicki awarded with St. George’s Medal
26.03.2011
Professor Jerzy Jedlicki is this year’s winner of St. George’s Medal, the honorary award of "Tygodnik Powszechny" granted since 1993 for "struggling against evil and consistent development of goodness in social life to the people, who are particularly sensitive to poverty, harm, and injustice and who manifest this sensitivity in their activity". Our warmest congratulations dear Professor!OR at the meeting with representatives of student organizations of French Roma and Jews
23.03.2011
On March 19 at the seat of Helsinki Foundation in Warsaw a meeting was held with representatives of student organizations of French Roma and Jews. It included speeches by representatives of Polish NGOs- Wirydarz (educational program of Helsinki Foundation), Forum na rzecz Różnorodności Społecznej [Forum for Social Diversity] and Open Republic, and the discussion on the subjects dealt with in the speeches. Open Republic was represented by Elżbieta Petrajtis-O'Neill and Adam and Paweł Kwiecień.Our thanks to Elżbieta Marciszyn, the Director of MDK in Opole
23.03.2011
We forward our thanks to Ms. Elżbieta Marciniszyn, the Director of the Youth Culture Center in Opole for her quick reaction and refusal to organize the debate of the National Radical Camp [nationalistic organization] in MDK. We are glad that steps aimed at preventing organization of ONR debate in the culture center MDK, taken, without limitation, by our member and friend Marzanna Pogorzelska, were well understood and accepted.IPN accepts our complaint related to the British historian
18.03.2011
In September 2010 we filed with IPN [Institute of National Memory] a petition for prosecuting the British historian David Irving in connection with commitment by him of the criminal offence of Auschwitz lie in the book published in Poland in 2009, entitled "Hitler’s War". In connection with idleness of the Regional Commission of Prosecuting Crimes against Polish Nation in Krakow we filed a complaint. Prosecutor of the Main Commission of Prosecuting Crimes against Polish Nation considered our compliant to be justified and will carry out investigation regarding this case.Next edition of anti-discrimination workshops for schools
12.03.2011
The next edition of free anti-discrimination workshops organized by OR will begin in April. The project “Evil can grow – against hatred” is addressed to the students of secondary schools in Warsaw. The aim of workshops is to build an open attitude, to eradicate prejudice and to teach about multiculturalism. Specially trained instructors bring issues from Polish history, they recollect Mark Edelman, Irena Sendlerowa, Jan Karski. They explain that one should not hate or despise a person because of his/her nationality, orientation, color or religion. For information about registration for the workshops heads of schools and teachers can approach the coordinator of the project Magda Utracka, tel. 228281121.OR at the meeting with the Special Envoy of the British Government for Holocaust
12.03.2011
A meeting with Sir Robert Andrew Burns, the Special Envoy of the British Government for Holocaust, took place on March 9. It was organized at the request of the British Embassy jointly by “Open Republic” Association and the Jewish Historical Institute, which played host to the meeting. The subject of the meeting was teaching about Holocaust. Eleonora Bergman, the director of the Jewish Historical Institute, welcomed the participants, Paula Sawicka, the president of Open Republic, led the discussion. Among the guests were Beata Angelica representing the US Embassy, Alon Simhhayoff from the Israeli Embassy and Piotr Kadlcik, chairman of the Union of the Jewish Religious Communities of the RP. Participants in the debate were, among others, Małgorzata Blicharz and Krzysztof Izdebski from the Warsaw Jewish Community, Ewa Bobińska from the Civic Education Laboratory of the Centre for Development of Education, Iga Kaźmierczak and Alicja Pacewicz from the Centre for Civic Education, Piotr Kowalik from the Museum of the History of Polish Jews, Monika Kozuń from the Forum for Dialogue between the Nations, Aleksandra Leliwa-Kopystyńska from “Children of the Holocaust” Association, Katarzyna Madoń-Mitzner from the House of Encounters with History, Wiesława Młynarczyk from the Bureau for Public Education of the Institute for National Remembrance, Arkadiusz Walczak from the Warsaw Centre for Social-Educational Innovations and Training, and Helena Datner, Hanna Węgrzynek and Andrzej Żbikowski from the Jewish Historical Institute. Our guest from the Great Britain told the audience how teaching about Holocaust is introduced in the British educational system. In particular, one day visits of British pupils to the former concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau are first prepared by work in the class, and then the trip serves as a basis for further work.
It should be mentioned that earlier Sir Robert Andrew Burns met officials from the Ministry of National Education who acquainted him with the department’s policy in this area. In October last year the Advisory Team for teaching about Holocaust was established at the Ministry. The next meeting of the Group is scheduled for the beginning of April this year. During the meeting in the Jewish Historical Institute the discussion concentrated on educational projects concerning Holocaust initiated by non-governmental organizations, i.e. on workshops and trainings addressed to young people, which are not part of the obligatory curriculum. The participants discussed the problem of how to preserve in future generations remembrance of the Holocaust and sensitivity to its themes. There were different definitions of the educational aims of teaching about Holocaust. For some it was learning about the history of Holocaust and its implications in social and cultural life. For others it was introduction to the phenomenon of genocide and its contemporary manifestations. Some experts perceive continuity in the history of Polish Jews, broken by Shoah, others would treat the Holocaust as a precedent, independent of earlier events. Some think that the fight against anti-Semitism should be based on this type of education, whereas others stress the need of reintegrating Jewish legacy with the cultural-historic heritage of our country. All discussants thought that education about Holocaust is a necessity.
Przemysław Wiszniewski
Thanks from Sir Andrew Burns
On behalf of Sir Andrew Burns and the British Embassy I would like to thank you warmly for your contribution to organizing a meeting on teaching about Holocaust. I realize that the idea of the meeting appeared late, so all the more I am grateful for your efficient cooperation and your goodwill.
I hope that in future we will have again an opportunity to work together.The European Testing Night
10.03.2011
On Saturday night in 15 cities of Europe, including Paris, Stockholm, Budapest, Warsaw, Anvers, Bilbao, Belgrade, undercover testers went to nightclubs. In Warsaw the testers were Africans and Poles, in other cities there were also Arabs, Gypsies, Asians. The initiator of the Warsaw part of the European Testing Night was Danuta Stolecka, a member of the Management Board of OR.Happy Birthday!
06.03.2011
We extend our warmest birthday wishes to Andrzej Wajda, an outstanding film director and a member of our Association.
Management and staff of OR“Whose is the public space?” - The Second Public Debate of the Open Republic and Polski Theatre
03.03.2011
The Open Republic and Polski Theatre invite for the second public debate in memoriam of Arnold Szyfman who created the theatre on Karasia street. The debate entitled “Whose is the public space… or that we need to talk to each other to be able to live together” – will take place on March 14, 2011, at 17:45 in Polski Theatre in Warsaw, Scena Kameralna (entrance from the Sewerynow street). Admission free.A visit of the Special Envoy of the British Government for Holocaust
02.03.2011
Sir Robert Andrew Burns, a Special Envoy of the British Government for Holocaust, will take part in a discussion on the future of teaching about Holocaust. The organizers are the Open Republic, the Jewish Historical Institute and the British Embassy. Participants of the meeting will consider the question how to preserve effectively for future generations memory of the Holocaust and sensitivity to its problems.OR takes part in the meeting of the Commission for Social Dialogue on Equal Treatment
26.02.2011
The President of Warsaw Commission for Social Dialogue on Equal Treatment held its monthly meeting on February 8. The meeting was devoted to problems of disabled people. Open Republic was represented by Monika Wieczyńska.Andrzej Seremet: racists should be prosecuted
19.02.2011
The General Prosecutor Andrzej Seremet reminds the prosecutors that they should treat xenophobic offences more seriously. As we read in “Gazeta Wyborcza”, in almost 80% of complaints against xenophobic behavior the prosecutor’s office either refuses to initiate an investigation or discontinues it without any outcome.Attack on Tomasz Pietrasiewicz is a crime with anti-Semitic background
19.02.2011
The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights wants the attack on the flat of Tomasz Pietrasiewicz, the director of the Center Brama Grodzka Theatre NN in Lublin, to be treated as a crime with anti-Semitic background. The prosecutors qualified the attack as a crime of destroying property and causing imminent danger of loss of life or serious injury. They ignored the anti-Semitic background of the attack, which makes it a crime prosecuted under Article 119 of the Penal Code.Jewish Children in Nazi-Occupied Poland
19.02.2011
Most investigations of Polish-Jewish relations during the Holocaust have been on a macro-level and from a top-down perspective. This excluded the experiences of individuals who were not politicians or military elites, especially the experiences of women and children - writes Joanna Beata Michlic.Another hearing in the case filed by Jan Kobylański
09.02.2011
On 21 January 2011, another hearing took place in the case filed by Jan Kobylański [leader of the Polish community organization in Uruguay USOPAL] against 19 journalists and diplomats. Monika Wieczyńska from Open Republic attended the hearing.Our thanks to the General Prosecutor Andrzej Seremet
07.02.2011
We want to thank the General Prosecutor Mr. Andrzej Seremet for taking the right decision on reexamination of the incidents at Resovia Rzeszów stadium, on which the public opinion was informed in Marcin Kobiałka article “Stadium anti-Semitism to be examined” (Gazeta Wyborcza, Wrocław, 31.01.2011). We are of the opinion that the decision of the Rzeszów Prosecutor’s Office on discontinuation of investigation – which has been challenged by the General Prosecutor- was wrong not only from the legal point of view but also from educational point of view, as it was a clear signal for the potential offenders that they may not be afraid of any consequences for their anti-Semitic and racist acts on the stadium.“People to read about”
07.02.2011
We want to thank Andrzej Ficowski for his text “People to read about”, which was published in Polityka weekly. This article promotes the Live Library – a very good anti-discrimination campaign. Nevertheless, the lead of this article raises our objections: “One can borrow, for example a Homosexual, a Murderer, a Jew, a Muslim, a Homeless, or an Anarchist (…)”. Such enumerative listing of a murderer together with representative of a sexual or national minority may evoke - against the intent of the author – the worst associations.Our thanks for "Fair play" program
07.02.2011
We want to thank the President of Łódź Hanna Zdanowska, Marcin Animucki, the President of Widzew Łodź club and Jakub Urbanowicz, the President of ŁKS Łódź club for an important and positive initiative “Fair Play”, aimed at shaping the attitudes of openness and tolerance among the youngest fans of Łódź football clubs. The public opinion was informed about the planned program in the publication „Football players from ŁKS and Widzew will go to schools to educate fans”. We appreciate the fact that the gymnasium students will be the hope that target, as these young fans are not yet infected with the stadium hate. We do hope that other cities and football clubs will show similar sensitivity to the problem of anti-Semitism and racism on the stadiums.Paweł Kwiecień on discrimination of Roma people
28.01.2011
Prejudice against Roma is based on the stereotype and a stereotype is never true, since we are never able to get to know all members of the group, which we talk about. Watemborski from Radio Koszalin talks to Paweł Kwiecień.Support for Jan T. Gross and "Znak" publishing house
28.01.2011
"Many internet users have got involved in the discussion on the announced publication of J.T. Gross book Złote żniwa [Golden Harvest]. The news about attempts to stop the publication and organized internet campaigns against Znak publishing house are reason for concern. We want to express our support for the courage and determination of the author of the book and the employees of Znak in their attempt to show the truth, even the painful truth, and in cultivating the idea of freedom of speech and not giving in to pressure" – states the Declaration of the internet users.ITV Kielce on anti-discrimination workshops of the Open Republic
27.01.2011
What is racial discrimination, why one should get to know and to respect representatives of other cultures and religions? These were the subjects dealt with during the anti-discrimination workshops, which took place in Kielce schools.KAI: Seminar for teachers on teaching about anti-Semitism
27.01.2011
On 26 January, at the Museum of Kielce History a seminar on teaching about anti-Semitism was held for teachers. It was organized by the Institute of Psychology and Education “Characters” as a part of the Kielce Christian- Jewish Meetings “Faith – Hatikvah – Love”. The Open Republic was represented by Paweł Kwiecień, Przemysław Wiszniewski and Natali Wiszniewska.The training before the European Testing Night
27.01.2011
In spring of 2011 the “testing night” will take place in Poland for the first time. During this action we will examine – in different European countries, at the same time – if and to what extent the persons with a different appearance or skin color are discriminated in particular places. The Open Republic Association organizes the training course for those who are willing to participate in this action.Stop to hate. The Civic Plot starts its activity
21.01.2011
- Concerned about the dramatic degradation of the public debate in Poland we want to opt for the dialogue in which dignity, self-esteem and reputation of each party are not infringed upon – wrote representatives of the Polish intelligentsia who established the Civic Plot coalition.Press release
14.01.2011
The decision on the partial discontinuation of investigation against the fans of Resovia, who had anti-Semitic banners at the May football derby, was right – stated the Appeal Prosecutor’s Office in Rzeszow.Press release: Acquittal of NOP activists legitimized racism
10.01.2011
Justification of the December verdict acquitting racists from the charge of inciting people to racial hatred is shocking, since the conclusion one may get from it is that the slogans shouted by them about blood purity are just “the guarantee of maintaining the biological features of one’s own nation, its original and unique beauty in the mosaic of human races".OR statement regarding the statement of Aleksander Bentkowski
08.01.2011
We are shocked and concerned about the public statements made by Aleksander Bentkowski, the president of the football club CWKS Resovia Rzeszów and the former Minister of Justice in the government of Tadeusz Mazowiecki, in which he comments on the partial discontinuation by the prosecutor’s office of the proceedings against the fans of this club. Aleksander Bentkowski treats light the behavior of the fans, who clearly and openly (by shouting: "Death to hooked noses") propagated anti-Semitic slogans during the football match and incited people for hatred, and, thus, violated the legal regulations and damaged the reputation of the club. Educational role stipulated in the by-laws of the club is in contradiction to the lack of criticism of its president oncerning such behavior.Press release: Control of anti-Semitism on the football stadiums
01.01.2011
Andrzej Seremet, the General Prosecutor, will examine whether the prosecutor’s office in Rzeszów was right to discontinue the investigation regarding anti-Semitic slogans on the stadium.Press release: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Shame on the stadiums
30.12.2010
Radosław Sikorski, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, wants the General Prosecutor to persecute the authors of anti-Semitic entries in the internet and slogans on the football stadiums. He writes that he is concerned about the image of Poland, which is unable to effectively persecute the offenders.Letter to "Brama Grodzka Center- NN Theater"
21.12.2010
In connection with the information on the attack on personal safety and the apartment of Tomasz Pietrasiewicz, the founder and director of "Brama Grodzka Center – NN Theater" we sent a letter of solidarity to the Center.
Dear Friends,
We were shocked to learn about the attack on personal safety and the apartment of Tomasz Pietrasiewicz, the founder and Director of your Center. So the reward for the long standing work focused on bringing back memory on the Polish Jews, their places of living, synagogues and culture, on their individual and collective fate is bricks with swastika signs thrown through the broken windows! We feel solidarity with Tomasz and with all of you in your feeling of being threatened and your tenacity. This bandit act confirms our frequently expressed conviction as to the fatal leniency of the representatives of the Polish prosecution and judicial system for organizations and demonstrations referring to the fascist ideology. We cannot stop to attempt to convince the public opinion and the state authorities on the need to execute the rights granted in the constitutional act and in the legal codes.
With friendship and best regards
For the “Open Republic” Association against Anti-Semitism and Xenophobia
President of the Management Board
Paula Sawicka
Chairman of the Program Board
Jerzy Jedlicki
Warsaw, 20 December 2010.Press release: Two bricks crushing the window
20.12.2010
On Friday (17.12.2010) evening the unidentified offenders threw bricks to the apartment of Tomasz Pietrasiewicz, the founder of the world-famous “Brama Grodzka” Center – NN Theater". They also threw a petard. Swastikas were painted on the bricks.
"Brama Grodzka Center – NN Theater" cultivates memory and gathers documents about the Jewish inhabitants of Lublin. It publishes books, conducts dozens of campaigns, trainings and workshops for school students. For many years its workers and volunteers have gathered stories of the people, who rescued Jews during the Second World War and memories of the rescued Jews.
Source: Gazeta WyborczaSeminar on hate crimes
16.12.2010
On 16 December, the second seminar on hate crimes, which was organized by the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, was held. Wirgnia Prejs from MSWiA presented the data delivered by NGOs in the form of a map of hate crimes against persons of different ethnic origin, race, and religion, and representative of the Campaign against Homophobia presented the results of two surveys regarding homosexual persons, who were victims of attacks because of their sexual orientation. In the discussion that followed the speakers discussed numerous problems and tried to indicate what steps should be taken and what methodology should be used in order to get more reliable and consistent data on such incidents (e.g. monitoring a given incident from its occurrence through the whole process of reporting it to the police, the prosecutor’s office and filing with the court).Meeting of anti-discrimination working group
14.12.2010
On 8 December 2010, at the seat of Ochota Cultural Center, the second meeting of the working group for counteracting the race-based and ethnic-based discrimination was held, which was a part of the Diverse Warsaw project. The members of numerous NGOs, representatives of the Office of Education, Social Policy and Culture of the Warsaw Municipal Office and of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration participated in the discussion. The Open Republic Association was represented by Piotr Tomaszewski.
The goal of the meeting was to analyze the situation of foreigners in Warsaw; this analysis will constitute a basis for preparation of a chapter on counteracting discrimination for the publication planned as a summary of the project.Press news: The authors of the neo-fascist webpage Redwatch sentenced by the court
14.12.2010
Andrzej P. – 1.5 year of imprisonment, Bartosz B. – one year and one month of imprisonment, Mariusz T. – one year and three months – these are the sentences ruled by the Wrocław District Court in the well known case of three men charged with editing the neo-fascist webpage Redwatch. The prosecutor accused them of promoting fascism and inciting to race-based violence.Jerzy Jedlicki: Dear anti-fascists!
10.12.2010
Radical parties and youth organizations – whether we call them fascist, racist or nationalistic – grow in strength throughout Europe, organize loud marches and rallies, and shout slogans, which recall the worst times of the 20th century. The public opinion reacts differently in different countries. In Poland this reaction has for years been very weak, as if we forgot what such marches and hateful shouts lead to, even though we are constantly reminded of their outcome. Therefore, I express my respect and appreciation to those, who, in spite of their young age, want to remember and shout “no pasaran!” for fascism – writes Professor Jerzy Jedlicki.OR in Kołbiel for the second time
09.12.2010
On 3 December 2010 representatives of OR were invited to Gymnasium in Kołbiel to the meeting with students from Germany, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and Poland. The Open Republic was represented by Natalia Wiszniewska, Agata Tomaszewska and Paweł Kwiecień.House of death
04.12.2010
68 years ago the Polish inhabitants of the Pokarpacie village tortured, raped, and finally denounced to the Germans their Jewish neighbors. Cezary Łazarewicz, the journalist of “Polityka” weekly described their tragedy in the dramatic reportage.OR at the meeting summing up the project of HHRF
24.11.2010
On 16 November 2010, in the seat of Helsinki Human Rights Foundation a meeting was held, during which the implementation of the project "Victims' survey and information on hate crimes in Poland" was summed up. The Open Republic was represented by Monika Wieczyńska.Conference in Ottawa
23.11.2010
The annual, 2010 conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Combating Antisemitism – (ICCA), organized in cooperation with the Canadian government, took place on the 8-9 November in Ottawa, Canada. The Coalition, established in September 2008, aims at sharing knowledge, experience, best practices and recommendations and at encouraging their dissemination in an attempt to deal more effectively with contemporary anti-Semitism, which is proven to be a form of hatred still causing dramatic harm. Aleksandra Gliszczyńska-Grabias, representative of OR, participated in this conference. Read moreWill we learn to demonstrate without violence?
16.11.2010
On Independence Day, together with the members of the 11th November Coalition, we blocked the so called Independence March. Our success was the fact that we prevented the members of the National-Radical Camp [ONR], Młodzież Wszechpolska and other groups referring to the fascist and extremely rightist tradition from marching through the main streets of Warsaw, and that they had to refrain from shouting the racist, anti-Semitic and chauvinistic slogans. We regret that some incidents of violence occurred, also on the part of certain participants of the blockage. We consider this to be our failure.Press release: Anti-Fascists: "We apologize for hate speech during the demonstration"
16.11.2010
Representatives of 11th November Coalition apologized for hate speech that was heard during the anti-fascist demonstrations on Independence Day – This should have not happened - said Monika Kłosowska, representative of this coalition.Press release: What happened on 11th November? Success or failure?
15.11.2010
Krystyna Zowczak-Jastrzębska, the member of the Management Board of OR on the blockage of the march: They marched along the side streets and not the main ones. This was a success. They did not shout such slogans as: "All Poland only white". The action of the 11th November Coalition was discussed in Nowy Wspaniały Świat club.Statement
14.11.2010
We fully support the Appeal of Campaign against Homophobia relating to the detaining and beating up Robert Biedroń, other participants of the counter-demonstration and accidental persons on November 11 2010. We express solidarity with the harmed persons and indignation about violating the provisions of law.
Management Board of the Open RepublicStatement of the 11th November Coalition
We celebrated the Independence Day by saying “no” to fascism.
About 5 thousand people gathered along the route of the march of Młodzież Wszechpolska, Obóz Narodowo-Radykalny {ONR} and other nationalist groups to block this march. Besides the members of the Coalition, the Warsaw inhabitants also appeared to protest against this event, as well as the inhabitants of other cities. This was the biggest anti-fascist demonstration in Poland in the recent years. On this day, the Royal Route in Warsaw belonged to the people, who walked along shouting "Warsaw free from fascists".Protest against participation of historians from IPN in the so called Independence March
10.11.2010
In connection with the information that the member of the IPN Collegium, Professor Mieczysław Ryba and Professor Jan Żaryn employed at IPN joined the committee supporting the so called Independence March organized on 11 November 2010 by the radical nationalists, we approached the President of the National Memory Institute [IPN] Dr Franciszek Gryciuk and asked for his opinion on this fact.OR at the conference establishing EGAM
08.11.2010
EGAM (European Grassroots Antiracist Movement) Conference organized in Paris on 2-5 November by SOS Racisme gathered representatives or organizations struggling against racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism from all over Europe. The Open Republic was represented by Małgorzata Melchior and Marzanna Pogorzelska.Przemysław Wiszniewski: Nazi followers stain the Independence Day
08.11.2010
The strategy of ignoring the marches of neo-Nazis brings regrettable effects, because they feel more and more unpunished and more and more convinced that their march is right – says Przemysław Wiszniewski in conversation with Aneta Małecka from Antyradio.Press release: The Wrocław cartoon is supposed to teach tolerance toward Roma
05.11.2010
To counteract stereotypes the Wrocław foundation Prom prepares the cartoon strip on the history of European Roma. This is the first publication of this kind in Poland, or maybe in Europe. It is mainly addressed to children and youth. The book will be published in January.Statement regarding the counter-demonstration on 11 November
04.11.2010
The Open Republic Association supported the idea of the 11th November Coalition gathering different NGOs, which will take part in the counterdemonstration against the march of the neo-Nazis on the Independence Day. At the same time, the Open Republic appeals to the coordinators of the Coalition to publish a public declaration to the effect that the goal of this counterdemonstration is not the use of violence and occurrence of street fighting, and calls on the participants not to let themselves to be provoked to use violence. We participate in this counterdemonstration because we cannot allow for demonstrations of hate and intolerance (referring to civic freedoms) in the streets of our cities. Let our presence be the guarantee of protest without violence.
The Management Board of the Open RepublicFor a European antiracist civil society !
03.11.2010
On November 2, the founding conference of the European Grassroots Antiracist Movement - EGAM began in Paris. EGAM is the network created by NGOs, which oppose discrimination, ant-Semitism, and racism. The Open Republic is represented by Marzanna Pogorzelska and Małgorzata Melchior. The planned activities of the network include monitoring and reporting discrimination events, examining discrimination, and exerting pressure on EU authorities to publicize and condemn such events. The Opening Editorial was signed by 31 organizations from 24 European countries - from Poland by Never Again and Open Republic.
Paula SawickaIntervention of OR regarding the hateful statements of internet users on the webpage of Polish Radio
02.11.2010
In connection with the fact that in the discussions of the internet users on the webpage of Polish Radio the hateful statements of the racist and xenophobic nature appear on a regular basis, we sent an appeal to the Ethics Commission of the Polish Radio to remove such statements and to properly moderate the discussions. After our intervention, certain statements of this kind were removed.AEDH and Otwarta Rzeczpospolita denounce the Polish Government’s silence on the recent discriminatory comments and acts
27.10.2010
Brussels, October 20th, 2010
AEDH and Otwarta Rzeczpospolita are concerned about the infringement of equality and human rights which recently occurred in Poland and the indulgent reaction of the Polish authorities on this subject.
In a recent statement the Polish Minister for Equal Treatment declared that it was justifiable for Catholic schools to fire homosexual professors based solely on their sexual orientation, therefore supporting discriminatory practices based on sexual orientation. Following this statement, at the very least problematic coming from a minister of equality, the highest State authorities did not denounce this behaviour. In addition to this incident, Polish authorities have turned a blind eye to acts of discrimination and xenophobic statements. The Polish police therefore decided to close an investigation on an anti-Semitic inscription, the reason being that according to only the interrogation of the perpetrator, in which he claimed that he had no intention to offend anyone, the inscription was not an offence.
It should also be reminded that in March 2010 the European Court of Human Rights charged Poland with discrimination based on sexual orientation, committed by a Polish municipality(1), and that an action was taken by the European Court of Justice in May 2010 against Poland for incorrect implementation of European law(2). AEDH and Otwarta Rzeczpospolita would like to emphasize that by entering in, and being part of, the European Union, Polish authorities have committed themselves to respect common values and rules and to apply them as any other Member State.
Acts of discrimination are in fact still common in Poland, based largely on ethnic origins, sexual orientation and religion, in spite of the creation of a ministry for equal treatment, and the implementation of a program to fight against racial discriminations between 2004 and 2009. These measures have shown their lack of efficiency when the Polish public authorities are silent and therefore supportive of discriminatory public statements, and ignore acts of discrimination related to the dignity of different social groups, which should be protected by the State.
AEDH can thus only express its solidarity and support for Polish civil society organizations that denounce discriminatory acts committed by public authorities. They must be listened to.
AEDH and Otwarta Rzeczpospolita reassert their commitment to the fight against all forms of discrimination and ask the highest Polish authorities to choose action over words, condemnation over silence, and to efficiently fight against discrimination and xenophobia. There is a need for a strong commitment of the Polish government in order to respect values that are common to all EU citizens and States and guaranteed by the Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Contact:
Pierre Barge, President
AEDH, European Association for the Defence of Human Rights
33, rue de la Caserne. B-1000 Bruxelles
Tel : +32(0)25112100 Fax : +32(0)25113200 Email : aedh@aedh.eu
The European Association for the Defence of Human Rights is an umbrella organization that brings together leagues and associations defending human rights in EU countries. It is an associate member of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH). For further information: www.aedh.eu
(1) Kozak v. Poland, European Court of Human Rights, March 2, 2010
(2) Press Release: “The European Commission summons Poland to the Court of Justice regarding regulation of equality between races” May 4, 2010Disciplinary procedure at UMCS
21.10.2010
The members of the Open Republic, concerned about the conduct of Professor Barbara Jedynak from UMCS, which went far beyond the acceptable limits of behavior, as she used ethnic arguments in a dispute at the territory of the University and refused to apologize for such statements, appreciate the information that the disciplinary procedure has been instituted regarding this incident.Lesson about Roma
21.10.2010
During antidiscrimination workshops we have noticed an exceptionally negative attitude of school youth to Roma minority, which is rooted in the lack of knowledge and is manifested by contempt. This is shocking, because even though many students in each class know how to voice opinions about the national and ethnic minorities in a “politically correct” manner, still they voice very negative opinions about Roma – writes Przemysław Wiszniewski.On hate speech
20.10.2010
Marek Edelman’s warning that evil may grow, the subject to the recent public debate organized by Open Republic and Polski Theater, becomes painfully topical. Let us not reply to hate with hate, but let us not allow for hate, let us not be indifferent to it. We present the opinion of Maciej Geller, the founding member of the Open Republic and the long-time member of its authorities.
The Open Republic Association appreciates numerous statements of the politicians on the effects of hate speech. We have mentioned this problem for many years, but we have met the lack of understanding in the Polish judiciary system or among the politicians, even though Polish football stadiums and certain broadcasts of “Radio Maryja” are full of such language. Such language is also characteristic for certain enraged politicians, who believe that only their views and opinions are right, and their adversaries are the worse Poles. Indeed, it is high time to replace hate speech in our public life with the ability to discuss problems.
Maciej GellerOR at the conference initiating the establishment of EGAM
20.10.2010
On 2-5 November 2010 in Paris, the First Annual Meeting will be held; it will initiate the European Grassroots Antiracist Movement. The Open Republic will be represented by Małgorzata Melchior and Marzanna Pogorzelska.OR in "November 11th Coalition"
18.10.2010
On 15 October, the Management Board of the Open Republic decided to join "November 11th Coalition" – a coalition protesting against the marches of ONR and NOP [extreme right organizations] on November 11 in Warsaw.OR at the conference "Innovative Roma on the labor market"
17.10.2010
On 30 September 2010 a conference was held in Warsaw, the aim of which was to summarize the implementation of the project "Innovative Roma on the labor market" and to discuss the issues related to the professional activation of Roma environment. Monika Wieczyńska, the member of the Management Board of OR participated in this conference.Press news: Professor offending her colleague
15.10.2010
The students of Judaist department alerted the authorities of UMCS about the behavior of one of the professors. "You damned Jew!" she is said to have shouted to another professor who dared to reprimand her. Now she states that the university should protect her and that the students lie. The case will be presented to the disciplinary officer.
School workshops of Open Republic
15.10.2010
When we ask the pupils what they would do if they had a Jew as a neighbor, we hear: "I would throw a petard into his room", "I would try to make him leave the place". And this is the starting point for our workshops with the Warsaw youth – writes Przemysław Wiszniewski about the workshops conducted by the Open Republic.Statement regarding the Diversity Day
15.10.2010
The Management Board of OR adopted a decision on withdrawal from participation in Diversity Day planned in Warsaw on the next weekend. This decision results from the fact that the patron of this event is the government attorney for equal treatment, minister Elżbieta Radziszewska. The Open Republic, which recently supported the appeal for dismissal of minister Radziszewska joined the protest against the manner in which she performs her duties. Our participation in Diversity Day, which is carried out under the patronage of the Minister, would legitimize her at her government position, which would be contrary to the interest of OR and of other organizations struggling against discrimination. This is why we decided not to participate in this valuable project.Press news: Fascists, you will not pass! – citizens against ONR
14.10.2010
Fascists, you will not pass! – announce the members of November 11th Coalition. The coalition consists of different organizations, which want to stop the march of ONR and NOP on Independence Day.I Public Debate organized by Open Republic and Polski Theater
„Evil may grow”,
or how and why we should react when we hear hate speech
I Public Debate organized by the Open Republic Association and Polski Theater dedicated to the memory of Marek Edelman on the first anniversary of His death. We invite on 11 October 2010 at. 17:45 to Polski Theater in Warsaw – Small Stage (entrance from ul. Sewerynów). Free of charge.
Persons participating in the panel discussion: Agnieszka Graff, Jarosław Gugała, Agnieszka Holland and Paweł HuelleModerator: Krystyna Zowczak-Jastrzębska
It is also possible to participate in this debate via Internet. You can watch it and voice your opinion using the web pages: www.otwarta.org, www.teatr-polski.art.pl, www.naŻywo.netOR at a meeting at Collegium Civitas
04.10.2010
On September 30, a meeting was held at Collegium Civitas, during which the main points of the project implemented with financial support of Batory Foundation were presented. The project started in July 2010 and will last until June 2011. It relates to hate speech in the internet and ways of counteracting this phenomenon. The Open Republic was represented by Elżbieta Petrajtis-O’Neill. Presentation of the project, see link below:
http://www.slideshare.net/wiedzalokalna/raportmniejszoscipl-prezentacja-z-30-wrzesniaAppeal to Prime Minister Donald Tusk for dismissal of Minister Elżbieta Radziszewska
26.09.2010
Minister Elżbieta Radziszewska is not aggressive in her public statements, but they show that she does not understand, and applies an erroneous interpretation to the principles of equal treatment, which her position obligates her to comply with. Stating that a catholic school has the right not to employ a teacher who is a lesbian because she is a lesbian the Minister shows that she does not understand the difference between sexual orientation (which is an absolutely private matter) and manifesting attitudes or promoting opinions on sexuality, which could, indeed, be unacceptable for the catholic outlook believers. This incident was not a single and accidental mishap by the Minister; this is evidenced by her recently expressed opinion that the right of the catholic school not to employ a lesbian teacher is based on the same rules as the right of the Jewish school not to employ an anti-Semite. If Elżbieta Radziszewska does not understand that promoting the ideology of hate (since an anti-Semite who does nor manifest his/her anti-Semitism may not be defined as such) is, first, something radically different from sexual orientation, and, second, disqualifies an anti-Semite as a teacher in any school not only the Jewish one – she confirms the opinion presented above, namely, that she is not the right person to hold the position of the minister for equal treatment. And this is why, without any feeling of hate or revenge, we appeal to the Prime Minister to dismiss her from this position. Yesterday, the Board of OR signed, together with other NGOs, a letter to Prime Minister Donald Tusk regarding dismissal of Minister Elżbieta Radziszewska.
Statement
21.09.2010
In connection with numerous questions asked by the journalists and relating to the presence in Poland of David Irving, the Open Republic Association informs that it has notified the Director of the Main Commission for Persecuting Crimes against Polish Nation of the National Memory Institute [IPN], Mr. Dariusz Gabrel, of the fact that David Irving, the British writer and journalist and the author of many historical books, committed a crime set forth in Art. 55 in connection with Art. 3 of the Act on the National Memory Institute. This crime consists in publishing in 2009 in Poland the book “Hitler’s War”, in which David Irving negates Adolf Hitler’s crimes. Our application, published on our web page, contains justification of this thesis. The Open Republic has not yet received any formal response, but it was indirectly expressed by the spokesman of IPN-u, Andrzej Arseniuk, who stated on 17 September 2010 in Alert24.pl service, that “in order to persecute a crime ex officio, it must be committed”. This statement of IPN spokesman proves that he did not read our request and is shocking, because it shows that the Institute, which is supposed to take care of law abiding, refuses not only persecuting Irving, but even examining the facts and grounds of accusations.
Read BBC release about these facts.OR sends a request for persecuting David Irving
15.09.2010
WE join the protest of the editors of "Never Again" magazine and the British monthly "Searchlight" against the planned visit of Holocaust negationist David Irving in the places of memory in Poland and we send a request for persecuting the British journalist to Dariusz Gabrel, Director of the Main Commission for Persecuting Crimes against Polish Nation of IPN. The crime committed by Irving consists in publishing in 2009 in Poland the book “Hitler’s War”, in which David Irving negates Adolf Hitler’s crimes. In 2000 the British court ruled that David Irving is the Auschwitz liar.Educational project of the Open Republic
14.09.2010
In September, October, November and December 2010 the employees of the Open Republic will conduct anti-discrimination workshops in the Warsaw gymnasia and high schools. These workshops are based on the author’s lesson scenario. The students will learn about race or religious discrimination or discrimination related to sexual orientation; why we should counteract each manifestation of intolerance and why it is worthwhile to get familiar with and to respect representatives of other cultures and religions. We invite the school headmasters, teachers and parents to cooperate with us under this project
Contact: pawelkwiecien@otwarta.org
Project was granted additional financing from the funds of the capital city of WarsawOR at the meeting of the Commission for Social Dialog regarding Equal Treatment
10.09.2010
On 7 September 2010, the meeting of the Commission for Social Dialog regarding Equal Treatment at the office of the President of Warsaw was held. Approximately 20 representatives of NGOs participated in it. Open Republic was represented by Monika Wieczyńska.OR and HFPR guidebooks: what to do when we are confronted with hate speech
07.09.2010
In March 2010, Helsinki Human Rights Foundation commenced a new project "Victims' survey and information on hate crimes in Poland". Information leaflets have been prepared for potential victims of discrimination and hate crimes. They are aimed at limiting the situations, where the victim of hate crime does not report this to the persecuting bodies because he/she does not know how to do it, is not familiar with the legal regulations in this respect or does not know, who he/she should ask for help. Leaflets are prepared in three language versions: Polish, English and French. Read also "Citizen’s guidebook" – a book published by OR and describing, what actions one can take when one is confronted with hate speech.OR notification of commitment of an offence
03.09.2010
In connection with publication on the webpage of Judeopolonia portal of a release of Polonijne Stowarzyszenie Patriotów Narodu Polskiego, which offends a group of Jewish population, we sent a notification on the commitment of an offence, which is persecuted ex officio to the District Prosecutor’s Office Warszawa Śródmieście. Anti-Semitic message of this release is obvious. "If no organized political organization is established in Poland, which would be free from manipulation by Jews and if it does not stop the course of events that is disastrous for Poland, in 10 - 15 years Poles will be farmhands in their own country" – we read on Judeopolonia webpage.Press info: “Heil” gestures not punished
02.09.2010
The Warsaw Prosecutor’s Office discontinued the investigation regarding the inciting of hate rooted in national, race, and religious differences during the demonstration of ONR, which took place on 11 November 2009 in Warsaw. One of the reasons for discontinuation was the fact that the offenders were not found.Press info: The world has Anna Frank, we have David Rubinowicz
29.08.2010
All gymnasium students in Świętokrzyskie province will receive a moving diary of a Jewish boy, the Holocaust victim. – This diary will help us to show our students what intolerance leads to - says Elżbieta Biskup, the Headmistress of the gymnasium in Bodzentyn.Jubilee of the Righteous Among the Nations of the World
29.08.2010
Polskie Towarzystwo Sprawiedliwych wśród Narodów Świata [Polish Society of the Righteous among the Nations of the World] which has for 25 years cultivated the memory on Poles rescuing Jews during the Nazi occupation, has counteracted anti-Semitism and intolerance and has spread knowledge about the Holocaust, is celebrating its jubilee.OR supported the appeal of HFPR
07.08.2010
The Open Republic supported the appeal of Helsińska Fundacja Praw Człowieka [Helsinki Human Rights Foundation] calling on the Prime Minister to ratify the UNO Convention on the Rights of Persons Living with Disability. In spite of signing the Treaty on 30 March 2007, the Republic of Poland has not yet ratified the Convention, which is necessary for guaranteeing each disabled person that he/she may exercise in an unlimited way, her/his rights.Stadium racists are still unpunished
06.08.2010
Football hooligans may with impunity imitate monkeys to offend black football players, may shout: “to be burned!” and anti-Semitic slogans. The Prosecutor’s Office did not consider it to be an offence and decided to finally discontinue investigation on racist incidents during the football match between Cracovia and Wisła.There are partners for discussion among Romani people
04.08.2010
We want to teach the young generation our history, but we have no chance, because it is usually the specialists on Romani people, who decide what is important and what is not, instead of Romani themselves. I repeatedly hear from the state officials: "The state administration bodies want to do good things, but you must adjust to it". It is like the colonial India, where the 19th century English style of life was an ideal - says Joanna Talewicz-Kwiatkowska.OR intervention in Przemyśl
30.07.2010
In connection with the press information on technical negligence in Zasańska Synagogue located at Plac Unii Brzeskiej 6 in Przemyśl, we applied to the President of the City Robert Choma for taking the appropriate steps in this respect. It follows from this press release that in 2005 the city sold this facility to a private entrepreneur Robert Błażkowski, and that the current negligence on the part of the owner regarding this historical monument are qualified as an offence pursuant to the Act of 23 July 2003 on Protection of Historical Monuments. AS we agree with this interpretation, we asked the President the aforementioned transaction between the office and the entrepreneur, which- according to the press release – was conducted with omission of the Regulatory Commission for Jewish Religious Communities, will be covered by the prosecutor’s examination.Wrocław: A man accused of a racist attack will soon be trialed
15.07.2010
Soon, the trial of 27 year old Robert R. will start before the District Court in Wrocław. He is accused of a racist attack against a black citizen of Ghana.OR at the conference "Status of a judge 20 years after system transformation in Poland"
15.07.2010
On July 1, 2010, at the Law and Administration Faculty of the Warsaw University, a conference was held. It was entitled "Status of a judge 20 years after the system transformation in Poland". The Open Republic was represented by Piotr Tomaszewski.Statement of Open Republic on Europride
12.07.2010
The Open Republic, Association against anti-Semitism and Xenophobia expresses it support and sends warm greetings to the organizers and friends of Europride Warsaw 2010. We are sure that the holiday of bisexual, transgender persons, gays and lesbians that you prepare will be a great lesson of tolerance and respect for otherness that Warsaw inhabitants will learn. The major goal of the Open Republic is promotion of openness and respect for persons and groups of different ethnic, national, religious, cultural or social identification and counteracting all forms of racism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia and other attitudes that do harm to human dignity. Such attitudes include exclusion or discrimination of persons of different sexual orientation. The motto of this year’s Europride is "Freedom, Equality, Tolerance!" The Open Republic also believes in these words and values they contain. Your holiday is our holiday!The Management Board of the Open Republic"
Paula Sawicka, Danuta Stołecka-Wójcik, Marek Gumkowski, Jan Herczyński, Elżbieta Petrajtis-O'Neill, Monika Wieczyńska, Krystyna Zowczak-JastrzębskaWarszawa, 12.07.2010
March of Memory in Kielce on the 64th anniversary of the pogrom
12.07.2010
On July 5 about 250 persons marched the streets of Kielce to commemorate once again the Jews murdered in 1946. The ceremony started at Menorah monument commemorating the victims of the Kielce ghetto; the President of Kielce Wojciech Lubawski and the main rabbi of Poland Michael Schudrich lighted the memory candles.Lessons of tolerance for EU money
07.07.2010
A nice doll named The Other will teach the children from nursery schools and primary schools in Białystok the respect for cultural otherness – for refugees, for representatives of other nationalities, races, outlooks. The pilot lessons will start in autumn.OR at the conference on counteracting the rightist extremism
05.07.2010
On June 28, a conference entitled "Democracy needs quality! Effective counteracting the rightist extremism" was held in Berlin. It was organized by Ebert Foundation. Open Republic was represented by Krystyna Bratkowska.Leszek Kołakowski: Anti-Semites
02.07.2010
Mob may only be a tool for political reactionary forces. It acts only when having a clear perspective of direct effectiveness, only in a situation of a majority, and gives in only to violence. Anti-Semitism is the favorite form that may be ascribed to its blurred awareness - wrote Leszek Kołakowski.Halina Bortnowska: Anti-Semitism as such
01.07.2010
- Anti-Semites do harm do themselves and to all of us. Prof. Hartman seems either not to notice it or to neglect it. If it were the way he says, anti-Semitism would be harmless, and it is harmful. Jan Hartman mentions that even an unclear and mild anti-Polonism is harmful to Israel, while at the same time he ignores the threat posed by anti-Semitism among Poles – says Halina Bortnowska, the member of the Program Board of OR about the text of Prof. Hartman.The police must learn and it must release the witness of Max’ s death
01.07.2010
The human rights activists ask the Police City Headquarters to conduct intercultural trainings for policemen. This is connected with the shooting in May of a Nigerian man trading at the stadium - writes Wojciech Karpieszuk.OR at the conference “CONSTITUTIONAL ACT – CONVENTION – CHARTER. Deficit of Polish human rights standards”
01.07.2010
On June 29, 2010, the fifth conference of the Human Rights Institute at the Law and Administration Faculty of the Warsaw University was held. The title of this conference was “Constitutional Act – Convention – Charter. Deficit of Polish human rights standards.” OR was represented by Adam Kwiecień.Poles about Africans
25.06.2010
Every tenth Pole does not like Africans, every third believes that there are too many immigrants in Poland, less than half admits the marriage of their children with Africans. But we accept African teacher or doctor - writes Wojciech Karpieszuk.OR intervention regarding profanation of the Jewish prayer house in Żary
25.06.2010
In connection with the press information that the fascist vandals painted a swastika sign on the building belonging to Lubulskie branch of the Jewish Social and Cultural Society in Poland, we asked the Mayer of Żary, Roman Pogorzelec for the information, if the City Office took care about the removal of writings and repair of damages. We also asked in our letter whether the authorities took steps aimed at preventing manifestations of xenophobia in the future. We also applied to the District Prosecutor in Żary, Barbara Neneman-Szachnowska for an examination whether this act does not exhaust the features of offence pursuant to Article 256 of the Penal Code (propagating fascist and totalitarianism).Thanks to the President of Gdańsk
25.06.2010
We want to thank Paweł Adamowicz, the President of Gdańsk and services subordinate to him for a quick reaction to the profanation of the Jewish cemetery in Chełm and the care about the historical cemetery.Representatives of OR at the seminar “Jewish minority in Poland – myths and reality"
23.06.2010
On May 20, 2010 the seminar was held, which was entitled: “Jewish minority in Poland. Myths and reality." The discussion concerned support for development of identity of Jews in Poland, the meetings of the Jewish and Polish youth, stereotypes and mutual prejudice. Open Republic was represented by Paula Sawicka, Monika Wieczyńska, Adam Kwiecień and Piotr Tomaszewski. The seminar was held during the session of the parliamentary Commission for National and Ethnic Minorities.Marzanna Pogorzelska – the winner of Irena Sendlerowa Award
22.06.2010
This year’s winner of Irena Sendlerowa Award “For making the world better” is Marzanna Pogorzelska, the teacher of English language in the high school in Kędzierzyn-Koźle, coordinator of the school group of Amnesty International, the member of Open Republic and the author of our educational materials. Marzanna Pogorzelska realizes projects on multicultural education and education re: human rights, involving the youth and local community.
Our congratulations to Marzanna Pogorzelska!Program "Politische Bildung in Aktion!/Civic Education in Action!"
18.06.2010
The Federal Headquarters of Civic Education (bpb) and Robert Bosch Foundation organize third edition of “Politische Bildung in Aktion!/Civic Education in Action!” – a program for young professionals regarding political and social education. Persons from the Central and Eastern Europe, who are involved in voluntary activities or professional activities in social and educational institutions and NGOs may participate in it.ECRI on racism in Poland
15.06.2010
European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) of the Council of Europe prepared a report on Poland, in which it criticized us for frequent occurrence of racist statements. "In the political circles and major media anti-Semitism is partly tolerated" – states the report.Renewed Ph.D. dissertation of Professor Szacki
15.06.2010
Scholar, thinker, and righteous citizen. What else can one expect – said Professor Paweł Śpiewak about Professor Szacki. At the Warsaw University the ceremony of renewal of Professor Szacki’s PH.D. dissertation was held. Professor Szacki is one of the most outstanding Polish sociologists, a co-founder and member of the Open Republic.Jerzy Jedlicki’s birthday
14.06.2010
Our best wishes to Jerzy Jedlicki, the Chairman of the Program Board of the Open Republic Association on his 80th birthday.
Members of ORPenalties for propagating fascism
14.06.2010
On June 8, the so called major amendment to the codes came into force. It provides for penalization for the sale of items containing totalitarian contents.OR at the expert seminar at the Ministry of the Interior and Administration [MSWiA]
10.06.2010
On June 9, 2010, at the initiative of z the Department for Control of u Complaints and Petitions of MSWiA, a seminar was held, which was focused on methodology of gathering data on the discrimination, xenophobic, and racist phenomena. The Open Republic was represented by: Elżbieta Petrajtis O’Neill, Monika Wieczyńska and Przemysław Wiszniewski."Here, obviously, life is not easy". Friends about Maxwell Itoyi’s death
03.06.2010
James: - After Max’s death I don’t feel good in Poland. Before, it was not ideal but it was better. Recently a man made a gesture in the street as if he was aiming at me with a pistol. A stupid joke but such things create special atmosphere. I tell my friends from Nigeria: be careful. I wait to see how the authorities, the police the prosecutor’s office, and ordinary citizens react to what happened in the Stadium.Holocaust in the new gymnasium textbooks for WOS [Knowledge about Society]
02.06.2010
Holocaust is a subject that has been in the curriculum of Polish schools for a long time. Since 1999 this problem has been obligatory in teaching history and Polish language in gymnasiums, and since 2001 in high schools. Depending on their abilities, maturity and preparation the students got familiarized with difficult fate of the Jews and of Polish-Jewish relationships during the Second World War. The progress in teaching about the Holocaust in the last decade has been very impressive - writes Robert Szuchta, the member of the Program Board of OR.OR at the Conference “How to bring children up to prevent stereotype way of thinking"
01.06.2010
On May 21, 2010 at the Office of the Government’s Attorney for Equal Treatment, a conference was held, which was entitled: “How to bring children up to prevent stereotype way of thinking". The Open Republic was represented by Monika Wieczyńska.Draft bill on equal treatment
01.06.2010
Minister Elżbieta Radziszewska, the Government’s Attorney for Equal Treatment proposed a draft bill on implementation of certain regulations of the European Union related to equal treatment. The Act is supposed to define the areas and ways of counteracting the breaches of the principle of equal treatment due to sex, race, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or denomination, world outlook, disability, age and sexual orientation. Coalition for Equal Opportunities prepares corrections to the draft. OR is a member of the Coalition.European Civic Days
26.05.2010
On May 6-9, 2010 in the Spanish city of Malaga, an international conference was held on the European social citizenship. It was prepared by 13 Spanish organizations with cooperation of other European organizations. The Open Republic Association was invited by AEDH to participate in the conference. Our association was represented by Elżbieta Petrajtis-O’Neill, who was a panelist in one of workshops.Prosecutor’s Office: Who can be offended
25.05.2010
Prosecution for hate speech re: gays and lesbians is not within the social interest – decided the Warsaw Prosecutor’s Office.The first Polish commission to fight discrimination at the Warsaw University
23.05.2010
The Warsaw University is the first Polish university, where a commission for counteracting discrimination related to sex, age, disability, denomination, religion, race and sexual orientation was established. – If anyone feels offended by any statement during a lecture will be able to report this to the commission. It has no penal empowerment, but it will attempt to clarify the matter, mediate, it may also inform the Rector about it – says Anna Korzekwa, UW spokeswoman.
OR at the conference “Participation of young people – the way to civic society”
22.05.2010
On April 12 – 18, 2010 in Budapest the conference “Participation of young people – the way to civic society” was held. The Open Republic was represented by Paweł Kwiecień.OR’s intervention on the theft of historical tombstones
21.05.2010
In connection with the theft of historical tombstones from the Jewish cemetery in Radość, the Open Republic asked the Head of Warszawa Wawer Police Station, inspector Krzysztof Kawka what actions did the police take on this.OR representatives at the meeting of the Commission for Equal Treatment
19.05.2010
On May 11, the meeting of the Commission for Social Dialog on Equal Treatment at the Office of the President of Warsaw was held. The Open Republic was represented by: Monika Wieczyńska, Adam Kwiecień and Piotr Tomaszewski.
Professor Magdalena Środa: Who cares about animals!
14.05.2010
Professor Peter Singer, an outstanding philosopher, a great intellectual and spokesman for the rights of animals could not deliver a speech at the conference organized by the Law and Administration Department of the Warsaw University. One of the panelists – the professor at UW – discovered that professor Singer has liberal opinion on abortion and euthanasia. Prof. Magdalena Środa comments: "In the case of Professor Singer we can see the lack of understanding of what democracy, university, and academic debate are. One can see opportunism of authorities and cowardice of individuals, who are unable, who do not want, or are simply afraid of standing up for freedom and pluralism, which the University should be the spokesman for".Anti-Semitic banners in Rzeszów
14.05.2010
At the derby of Resovia and Stal Rzeszów, in the stadium sector occupied by the pseudo-fans of Resovia, a banner was displayed with the following text "Death to hooked noses". On the other, there was a cancelled figure of a Jew. OR filed a notification of the commitment of a public offense consisting in calling for committing a crime (Art. 255 §2 of the Penal Code) and inciting to hate stemming from nationality differences (Art. 256 of the Penal Code).Irena Sendler award “For repairing the world”
14.05.2010
This year, I. Sendler award “For repairing the world” will be awarded for the fourth time. This award is granted each year to the teachers of primary and high schools, who educate their students in the spirit of tolerance and respect for other people, inspire to take steps consistent with these principles and play an active role sin their schools and local community. The award is USD 10 000. Proposals can be filed until June 5, 2010.Monument in Prosta street
14.05.2010
In the place where 67 years ago the fighters from the Warsaw ghetto came out from the sewage canal to the Aryan side of the city, a small monument was erected. It was unveiled by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski and organizer of that evacuation - Symcha Ratajzer-Rotem, pseudonym "Kazik".Protest against the march of nationalists in Lublin
12.05.2010
In the letter sent to the President of Lublin Adam Wasilewski we asked for preventing the march of nationalists through the city, which was planned for May 22, 2010. During the previous meetings of ONR numerous anti-Semitic and xenophobic slogans were shouted. It is easy to foresee that it may look the same in Lublin.Thanks for the students
12.05.2010
We thank the students of the Higher Agro-business School in Łomża for their prompt campaign of gathering signatures against liquidation of the center for refugees in Łomża. Protest against such decisions and interest in the fate of refugees, who are in Poland a group that is practically helpless in face of xenophobia and discrimination is a good example of spreading tolerance in our public life. These are activities that facilitate counteracting xenophobia.Letter to the President of Wrocław
12.05.2010
In connection with vandalizing the Jewish Cemetery at ul. Lotnicza in Wrocław we asked the President of the City, Mr. Rafał Dutkiewicz for the information, whether the City Office took care about removal of these writings and repair of damages. We also asked whether any steps were taken, which would prevent such hate acts and anti-Semitic demonstrations that are too frequent in public places in Wrocław.The position of Coalition for Equal Opportunities
12.05.2010
We present the position of the Coalition for Equal Opportunities filed with the European Tribunal of Justice for a failure to implement the provisions of the community directive prohibiting discrimination for race or ethnic reasons. OR is a member of the Coalition.Mosque in Warsaw- yes or no?
28.04.2010
On April 22, 2010 in Cafe Karma, Warszawskie Centrum Innowacji Edukacyjno-Społecznych i Szkoleń organized an open discussion on the construction of a mosque in Warsaw, which is underway. The meeting was attended by Samir Ismail – the chairman of the Muslim League of the Republic of Poland, which builds the mosque, Bogusław R. Zagórski – an expert on Islam (Ibn Chaldun Institute) and Professor Zbigniew Mikołejko – philosopher and historian of religion, as well as numerous inhabitants of Warsaw and Warsaw Muslims. The Open Republic was represented by Krystyna Zowczak-Jastrzębska.White on black, or how should we understand NOP slogans
25.04.2010
- The slogan "Poland for Poles" has no race associations, so it may not be considered a racist slogan –dr Tomasz Scheffler, an expert in the trial of the members of the National Rebirth of Poland and Nationalistic Association "Zadruga" tried to persuade the court.
OBOP: how do the Poles perceive the Jews?
25.04.2010
The majority of Poles do not represent anti-Semitic views, but almost half of them agrees with the opinion that the Jews’ influence in the global affairs is too high – this results from the survey carried out by TNS OBOP.*
Members of the Open Republic Association are devastated and deeply shocked by the crash of the plane and the death of the President of Poland and his Wife, leaders of political parties, members of the parliament, priests, main officers of the Polish armed forces and many other outstanding public persons as well as the crew of the plane. We express our deep sorrow and sympathy to the families of the victims of this tragic catastrophe. Let this tragedy unite our society and help to overcome differences and prejudice.
We salute their memory
May they rest in peace
The Management Board of the Open Republic Association
In memory of the ghetto heroes
In memory of the ghetto heroes – for the first time without Marek Edelman
For 65 years on April 19, at noon, aside the official ceremony, Marek Edelman turned up at the Ghetto Heroes Monument and later went to the former Umschlagplatz. He was accompanied by friends, among them Jacek Kuroń, Lechosław Goździk, Bronisław Geremek and all those who wanted to salute the memory of the heroes in a public but very personal manner.
He was also accompanied by his son and daughter with their families. In the recent years the growing number of school students also joined him not only to salute the heroes but also to participate in the lesson of history, sensitivity, and humanity. This event became a symbolic act of Marek Edelman vesting the memory on those who had lost their lives to the next generations and an obligation for those who accompanied him to continue his mission.
This year we will meet at his grave at the Jewish Cemetery and then we will go to the Ghetto Heroes Monument and our usual way – to the monument of Szmul Zygielbojm, to MIła bunker, and finally – to Umschlagplatz.
Friends of Marek EdelmanPosition of OR regarding the protests against construction of the mosque in Warsaw
07.04.2010
We express our concern about xenophobic demonstrations against construction of the mosque in Warsaw. It is painful for us that many people, when speaking about the Muslims living in Poland, use hate speech and reveal prejudice.
Tolerance, openness and dialog - instead of hostile demonstrations and apprehension - are a basis for building a multi-cultural society, in which each group and religion has its place.
Management Board of the Open Republic AssociationWhen we will live in the world with no capital punishment?
31.03.2010
“When will we live in the world with no capital punishment?” – this is the title of a conference organized on March 30 by Amnesty International and "Horyzont – against capital punishment". Draginja Nadażdin, the director of Amnesty International Polska presented the Report of Amnesty International “Death sentences and executions in 2009” – the report does not show the number of executions in China, where most of them take place (last year, over 1000) and called for China to disclose these data.Picket “No more Nazism on Allegro!”
30.03.2010
On March 21, the International Day of Struggle against Racism, representative of the Open Republic participated in the picket “No more Nazism on Allegro in Warsaw organized by the Green 2004, “Never Again” Associaiton and Green Light Foundation.Echoes of campaign “I miss you, Jew!"
29.03.2010
Apostrophe to "Jew" is in the intent of the author of the campaign, Rafał Betlejewski, addressed to an abstracted Jew and a particular Jew. This first aspect of call to any Jew may teach us not to be afraid of using the word “Jew”. The second aspect reconstructs our relationship between a particular memory and a real person from the past – writes Przemysław Wiszniewski, a member of OR.OR in Gymnasium in Kołbiel
17.03.2010
Przemysław Wiszniewski and Adam and Paweł Kwiecień from OR visited on March 12, 2010 the Public Gymnasium by the name of O. Kolberg in Kołbiel. They talked with the students of seven classes about anti-Semitism. They attempted to tell them about the evil of pathological social phenomena such as racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism.Krakow. Anti-Semitism and commemoration of ghetto liquidation
17.03.2010
Several hundred people marched along the streets of Krakow to commemorate the victims of liquidation of the Krakow ghetto. A day before this march the monument of victims of Nazi crimes was desecrated – someone wrote on it "Hitler good", "Jude raus", swastikas and David stars on the gallows were painted.Conference on counteracting discrimination
15.03.2010
On March 12, 2010 at the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy a conference was held, which summed up the series of five meetings on counteracting age, disability, race, ethnic and national origin, religion, sex and sexual orientation discrimination. Open Republic was represented by Anna Kwiecień.Representatives of OR at the meeting of the Commission for National and Ethnic Minorities of the Polish Parliament
14.03.2010
On March 4, 2010 the meeting of the parliamentary Commission for National and Ethnic Minorities was held. It concerned safety issues. Representatives of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, Ministry of Justice, Chairman of National Minorities, parliament members, representatives of “Never Again” Association and Monika Wieczyńska from the Open Republic participated in the discussion.Paula Sawicka at the meeting with OR members and supporters in Copenhagen
10.03.2010
Paula Sawicka was invited to Copenhagen by the Danish members and supporters of the Open Republic. On March 7, during the meeting with the members of the Club of Jews from Poland she spoke about the last book of Marek Edelman “And there was love in the ghetto”. She also told the members of the club about OR activity, which trigged off n interesting discussion on the manifestations of anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in Poland and in Denmark.Petition for defense of the Jewish cemetery at Bródno part of Warsaw
05.03.2010
In Warsaw, the city exceptionally stigmatized by history, where great attention is paid to the memory of the past, the Jewish cemetery at Bródno is devastated and the authorities of the city do not react. Sign a petition for defense of this cemeteryOR in the Initiative against capital punishment
28.02.2010
The Management Board of OR decided to join the informal Initiative against the capital punishment. This initiative consists in public celebrating of October 10, 2010 as the European Day against Capital Punishment. This initiative roots from conviction non humanitarian institution of capital punishment is an evil, which must be eliminated. The author of this idea is Halina Bortnowska, a member of the Program Board of OR.Progress, counteracting discrimination, promotion of diversity
15.02.2010
The project is carried out by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. Activities taken under this project are aimed at initiation of a broad social dialog on non-discrimination and promotion of diversity in Poland, making the society sensitive to the problems of persons being the victims of discrimination, strengthening groups and persons dealing with this subject and developing recommendations for preparation of the future actions in this respect.Letter to the Prime Minister sent by the Coalition for Equal Opportunities
04.02.2010
In connection with taking by the European Commission of another step in the procedure against Poland for breaching the community law by improper implementation of anti-discrimination regulations relating to employment, the Open Republic together with its allies from the Coalition for Equal Opportunities called for the prompt drafting and implementation of the appropriate legal acts in this areaMeeting with Hannah Rosenthal
02.02.2010
On January 28, in the American Embassy, representatives of Polish NGOs met with Hannah Rosenthal, who is the special envoy of President Obama, working at the Department of State and dealing with combating anti-Semitism. Mrs. Rosenthal wanted to learn about the activities of Polish NGOs, especially educational steps preventing the spreading of anti-Semitism. The Open Republic was represented by Elżbieta Petrajtis-O’Neill.Conference on the public service media
02.02.2010
On January 23, in the Column Room of the Parliament, the international conference was held; it was entitled: Public media: future or funeral. In the first part , the speakers presented a brief analysis of the situation of the public service media. They stated that the problem of “colonization” of public media by the politicians occurs in all countries of the Central Europe, but it is particularly acute in Poland. The speeach delivered by Doris Pack, the Chairwoman of the Culture and Media Committee of the European Parliament was focused on the European media policy. In the second part of the conference two panels were held: one on budgeting the public service media and the other on the role of the public service media in the era of the internat.Signing the petition
27.01.2010
During the night January 22/23, swastikas appeared on Rotbaum plague near the synagogue in Wrocław. Unknown perpetrators also wrote the slogan "Jude raus!" at Włodkowica Street. This is the second incident of this type in the last six months; this incident happened at the time of the ceremony of commemorating the victims of Auschwitz – Birkenau camp. We ask you to sign a petition for installing monitoring at Włodkowica Street.Celebrating the Judaism Day
25.01.2010
January 17 has been for 13 years celebrated in the Catholic Church as the Judaism Day. On that day, the members of Jewish communities and Christian communities get to know each other through numerous forms of meetings, such as press conferences, discussions, concerts, performances, and common prayers.The end of the ”School of Dialog” Project
25.01.2010
On January 14 the ceremony ending the “School of Dialog 2009” project organized by the Forum of Dialog Between the Nations took place in Warsaw. This time the program covered the students of Warsaw schools and – for the first time – young people from small towns – totally about 500 students participated in the project.OR in the Coalition for Equal Opportunities
24.01.2010
The Management Board of OR decided on accession to the Coalition for Equal Opportunities. The Coalition was established as a reaction to the unsatisfactory and not sufficiently transparent work of the government on the draft of a new legal act on equal treatment. Organizations belonging to the coalition are the leading Polish organizations acting in the area of counteracting discrimination."Jew, I miss you!" campaign
19.01.2010
- We usually see the word “Jew” as an offence used in the anti-Semitic writings on the walls. I decided to overcome this fear of uttering this word – says Rafał Betlejewski, an artist, who begins the campaign entitled “Jew, I miss you!"Publication summing up the program FOR TOLERANCE
19.01.2010
The book summing up the experience gathered in the program FOR TOLERANCE "Common factors/Differing factors" carried out by Towarzystwo Inicjatyw Twórczych "ę" and Batory Foundation in the period 2006 – 2009 was published recently. The Open Republic Association also took part in the program.
The persons interested in the publication are asked to send an e-mail to the address: dorota.borodaj@e.org.plCourt reacted to anti-Semitic excesses of Leszek Bubel
10.01.2010
ON January 6, 2010, the Warsaw District Court ordered the prosecutor’s office to re-examine the case of publication of the list of members of Jewish Community in Warsaw by the magazine “Only Poland” published by Leszek Bubel. Bubel, who was many times accused of spreading racism and anti-Semitism, has been publishing the names, surnames, photos, and information on the private lives of the members of the Warsaw Jewish community in his magazines.About the conference "To make it in Poland"
03.01.2010
Some people, when speaking about integration of foreigners with the Polish society, in fact mean assimilation. This is not the same - Monika Wieczyńska, the member of the Management Board of OR writes about the conference “To make it in Poland”.
The Conference "Hate speech versus freedom of speech – the legal and social aspects"
07.12.2009
On November 30 in Poznań the Conference "Hate speech versus freedom of speech – the legal and social aspects". The Open Republic was represented by Dr Andrzej Malanowski and Adam Kwiecień. The Conference was organized by Poznańskie Centrum Praw Człowieka INP PAN. It consisted of 3 panels, each of which was summed up with the discussion. The first panel was led by Prof. Roman Wieruszewski, the second by Prof. Mirosław Wyrzykowski.OR invites you to the course of UW Open University
06.12.2009
OR invites you to the courses "Getting familiarized with the Constitutional Act" and "Human rights before the Strasburg Tribunal", conducted at UW Open University by Dr Wojciech Brzozowski from the Department of Law and Administration of UW. Both courses will commence on January 11, 2010.OR on the decision of authorities regarding the march of fascists on November 11
06.12.2009
OR notified the Prosecutor’s Office of the commitment of crime of propagating totalitarianism and fascism by the members of the National Radical Camp, who made the Nazi “Heil!” gestures and shouted “National socialism” “Off with Jewish chauvinism!” “Off with Jewish occupation!” during the celebrations of the national independence day of November 11. We also asked the Chief of the Warsaw Police for explanation, why the police did not intervene In the letter to the President of Warsaw, Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz we expressed out indignation regarding her failure to protest against organizing demonstration by the fascists and explaining her leniency toward ONR by the freedom of speech.