Poland ready to begin exhumations in Volyn within 24 hours
Poland’s Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) President
Karol Nawrocki stated that experts could start exhumation work in Volyn within
24 hours, RMF FM reported on Nov. 27.
Nawrocki noted that the institute has been advocating since
2017 for all exhumation requests in Volyn to be granted. According to him, the
first request for search and exhumation work was sent in 2017. Between 2017 and
2024, Poland submitted nine such requests, but Ukraine did not approve any.
He emphasized that, beyond a political decision, Poland is
awaiting official confirmation and responses from Ukraine to all prior
requests.
“If an official decision is made, not just a declaration, prepared teams will
travel to Volyn. The IPN’s Bureau of Search and Identification is ready to
conduct searches within 24 hours. We await official confirmation,” he said.
Nawrocki asserted that the work could begin despite Russia’s
war against Ukraine, as it “does not affect the effectiveness of operations.”
Earlier, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski held
talks with Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Kyiv confirmed that
there are no obstacles to exhuming victims of the Volyn tragedy.
Volyn tragedy background
The Volyn tragedy occurred in 1943 when the Polish Home Army
and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army allegedly conducted mutual ethnic cleansings.
According to Ukrainian researchers, over 100,000 Poles and 40,000 Ukrainians
were killed. Witnesses described brutal actions from both sides.
Poland-Ukraine historical dispute
On July 24, Polish Defense Minister Władysław
Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland would not agree to Ukraine’s EU membership until
the Volyn tragedy issues were resolved.
On Sept. 19, Onet reported that Poland’s Foreign Ministry
might leverage Ukraine’s EU ambitions to pressure Kyiv on exhumation matters.
On Sept. 24, Polish President Andrzej Duda criticized
Kosiniak-Kamysz’s remarks, calling them “part of Putin’s policy.” He later
stated that a breakthrough in historical issues should not come from “blunt
blackmail.”
On Oct. 1, Andrii Sybiha affirmed Ukraine’s readiness to
discuss contentious historical matters with Poland.
Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister Władysław Teofil
Bartoszewski said Poland would raise the exhumation issue during Ukraine’s EU
accession negotiations.
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