What were the Polish government's 9 reparation demands sent to Germany?
Poland's diplomatic note sets out 9 demands for Germany to pay reparations
The 9 demands
- Compensation for material and non-material losses amounting to 6 trillion 220 billion 609 million Polish zlotys.
- Compensation for victims of German aggression and occupation, as well as their families, for the losses and harm suffered.
- Taking systemic measures by the Federal Republic of Germany to return cultural property seized from Poland and currently located on German territory.
- The return of assets and liabilities of Polish State banks and credit institutions seized by the German State in 1939 -1945.
- The settlement of amounts due resulting from exploitation by the Reichskreditkassen, which funded the Third Reich’s criminal military efforts, and from the operations of the Issuing Bank in Poland.
- The full rehabilitation of activists of the Polish minority in pre-war Germany who were killed during the war and compensation for the losses suffered by Polish diaspora organisations in Germany.
- The full and systematic regulation of the current status of Poles and persons of Polish origin in Germany by restoring the status of a national minority, in particular, as regards the teaching of their mother tongue.
- The appropriate cooperation with the Republic of Poland with respect to commemorating Polish victims of the Second World War.
- Taking effective action by the German authorities to present to its own society a true picture of the war and its consequences, especially the harm and damage inflicted on Poland and its people.
The diplomatic note requested that the German government take immediate action aimed at a permanent, comprehensive, final, legal and material settlement of the issue of the consequences of German aggression and occupation.
The German response
On 28 December, Germany’s Federal Foreign Office replied stating, "According to the German Government, the issue of reparations and compensation for war losses remains closed and the German Government does not intend to launch negotiations in this regard".
Future actions concerning Poland's 9 reparation demands
Despite the disappointing response of the German Government, Polish efforts continue through other channels to raise awareness of the injustice caused by the lack of reparations, e.g:
- notes have been sent to 50 EU Member States,
- letters have been sent to the UN and UNESCO,
- a motion has been submitted at the Council of Europe, and
- US Congress has been approached.
Talks continue with other governments about Poland's claim for reparations and work continues to open discussion about Second World War reparations with Germany.
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