Reconciliation, Transformation, Historical Policy. Legal Aspects of Settlements with Totalitarian Systems Toward Poland Since 1989

The chapter outlines the issues of three basic public institutions in Poland in recent years, concerning the so-called settlements with the totalitarian system imposed on Poland. Paradoxically, despite the beginning of changes in the Soviet bloc countries, lustration, decommunisation and a discussion about the often-false images of Poland in relation to the past were not fully implemented despite the condemnation of communist and Nazi crimes and many aspects of the communist system that existed against the will of society. This also applies to Poland’s bad relations with neighbouring and other countries, with whom many issues have not been regulated so far, not only legally but above all socially. The conclusion is the need to develop international agreements in this area and more broadly a consistent policy of the state in matters such as compensation for the losses of Poland and Polish citizens in the Second World War (from other countries but, in the case of Jewish claims, also from Poland).