Polish government accuses right-wing politicians of increasing attacks on Ukrainians: “They gave permission for hatred”

The Polish government blames the increase in cases of aggression and violence against Ukrainians on the rhetoric of right-wing political forces. Polish government spokesman Adam Szlapka said that anti-Ukrainian sentiment is the result of many years of activity by politicians from the United Right and the Law and Justice (PiS) party, and that the silence of President Karol Nawrocki is only worsening the situation.

According to Szlapka, it is right-wing politicians who, with their statements, have actually legitimized manifestations of hatred against Ukrainians in Polish society.

“Right-wing politicians are the source and cause of the increase in violence that we are currently experiencing in Poland. They are provoking this kind of behavior. It is disgusting. I am physically sick from such things,” the government spokesman stressed.

Incident with a Ukrainian child

One example was the event that occurred on July 12 in the city of Bielsko-Biała. While traveling by public transport, an adult man began to insult a Ukrainian child and her friends because of their nationality.

According to Shlapka, such cases are the result of disinformation and anti-Ukrainian rhetoric spread by certain representatives of right-wing political forces.

“Permission for hatred”

The government spokesman also recalled that the leader of the Law and Justice party, Jarosław Kaczyński, at one time integrated representatives of right-wing radical circles into the political space.

According to Shlapka, it is their public rhetoric that today creates an atmosphere of intolerance.

“All their rhetoric actually gives permission for hatred in the public sphere,” he said.

At the same time, the Polish government assures that it will respond decisively to any manifestations of violence or discrimination on the basis of nationality.

Criticism of the President

Specifically, Shlapka criticized Polish President Karol Nawrocki, saying that he does not express a clear position on attacks on Ukrainians.

He also recalled Nawrocki’s previous statements, who called football fan fights a “noble form of struggle.”

“The United Right camp has let this genie out of the bottle, and now we are seeing the consequences on Polish streets,” the government spokesman said.

Attacks on Ukrainians continue

The incident in Bielsko-Biały is not an isolated one. Earlier, Polish police opened an investigation after a conflict at a construction site in the city of Skawina, where a representative of a construction company behaved aggressively with Ukrainian workers, insulted them and tried to use physical force.

Also recently, a young couple from Ukraine were brutally beaten in Poland because of their Ukrainian accent. Law enforcement officers have already detained two suspects, who face criminal liability.

Against the backdrop of these cases, representatives of the Polish authorities are increasingly expressing concern about the growth of xenophobia and violence against Ukrainians, emphasizing the need for a tough state response to any manifestations of hatred.