Poland marks martial-law anniversary
PR dla Zagranicy
Paweł Kononczuk
13.12.2017 10:30
Top politicians were on Wednesday to commemorate the 36th anniversary of the imposition of martial law by Poland’s former communist authorities.
Jarosław KaczyńskiPhoto courtesy of Law and Justice (PiS)
On 13 December 1981, communist-era strongman General Wojciech Jaruzelski imposed martial law to stifle rising opposition, headed by the Solidarity movement. Thousands of opposition activists were jailed and dozens were killed.
Jarosław Kaczyński, head of Poland’s ruling conservative Law and Justice party, was on Wednesday evening to deliver a speech in central Warsaw during a ceremony marking the 1981 crackdown.
The commemorations, which were to include prayers, were to be attended by officials representing the new government of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and parliamentarians.
Thirty-six years ago, Poland’s communist regime cracked down on the Solidarity pro-democracy movement, the start of a dark chapter in modern Polish history.
According to a parliamentary report compiled at the start of the 1990s, over 90 people were killed during martial law, which lasted formally until 22 July 1983.
On the night of 13 December 1981, more than 6,500 opposition activists were arrested and interned.
During martial law Poland’s communist regime suspended political and workers’ organisations and introduced a curfew.
(pk)