The nation of Poland has recently passed laws defining as criminal statements that there was Polish complicity in the genocide perpetrated by the Nazis. Much controversy has ensued.
As is typical in such cases, there is justice on both sides of this issue. On the one hand, death camps and wholesale infringement of civil rights were not characteristic of free Poland prior to its invasion by the Germans (and Soviets). Poland had, for example, a large and thriving Jewish community.
On the other hand, it is also true that there were more than a few Poles who worked or collaborated with the Nazis. Poles who helped to round up and imprison Polish Jews and other “undesirables.”
Clearly there were Poles who shared the Nazi unwillingness to coexist with Jews, gypsies, Communists and those of non-binary sexuality. Rejection of the “other” isn’t uniquely German, it exists everywhere, among all peoples, including Poles.
Poland is correct that, as a free and autonomous nation it did not commit atrocities nor excuse those of its citizens who misbehaved toward others. That is not the same as saying no Poles shared Nazi ideals and helped them do evil things. On balance, I would judge these Polish anti-defamation laws to be understandable in intent, but unwise in practice.
