Martial Law illegal, Tribunal rules
migracja
Administrator Administrator
16.03.2011 14:36
Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal has ruled that two decrees connected with the introduction of Martial Law by the communist Council of State in 1981 were inconsistent with the constitution.
Today’s announcement could pave the way for victims of the crackdown to claim compensation for their suffering at the hands of the communist regime.
As a result of the imposition of Martial Law in December 1981, thousands were imprisoned and approximately 100 killed.
The period lasted until July 1983, with detainment regularly enforced for those who broke the curfew or engaged in what was deemed to be an illegal gathering.
Countless Poles lost their jobs as a result of the upheaval. Many Solidarity activists were not released from prison until as late as 1986.
Nevertheless, Poland’s last communist leader, General Jaruzelski, has always claimed that the crackdown was the lesser of two evils, and that it deflected a Moscow-backed invasion.
In a separate case, Jaruzelski was himself brought to trial in 2008 for his role in the crime. A long-running adjournment put the case on ice the following year, but it returned to court last month. The 87-year-old was admitted to hospital on Friday with pleurisy and heart complications. (nh/jb)
Source: PAP
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