The ceremonies commemorating the victims of communism began on 13 December 2023, on the 42nd anniversary of the imposition of Martial Law in Poland. A Holy Mass devoted to the victims, imprisoned and wronged in the 1981-1989 period took place at the Museum of Cursed Soldiers and Political Prisoners of the Polish People's Republic in Warsaw. Among the participants was the Deputy President of the IPN and the Head of the IPN’s Office of Search and Identification, Krzysztof Szwagrzyk.
In the same place, on behalf of the President of Poland Andrzej Duda, the IPN Head, Karol Nawrocki presented the Crosses of Freedom and Solidarity. 23 anti-communist opposition activists were decorated (2 posthumously). This distinction is given to those who supported the restoration of Poland's independence and sovereignty or fought for respect of the human rights in the People's Republic of Poland. The decoration design is based on pre-war independence crosses and medals.
“This is one of the more tragic events in recent Polish history because it deprived an entire generation of Poles of hope for a free Poland for many years, for a Poland of solidarity, for a democratic Poland,” said Karol Nawrocki referring to the introduction of Martial Law.
Those murdered by the communist regime were honoured with an Appeal of Remembrance. Flowers were laid at the plaque commemorating the victims of Martial Law by representatives of the IPN: President Karol Nawrocki, his deputies Karol Polejowski, and Krzysztof Szwagrzyk, PhD, as well as the Director of the Warsaw Branch of the Institute, Tomasz Łabuszewski.
The Institute of National Remembrance invites you to participate in the social campaign "Victims of Martial Law. Light the Light of Freedom." By lighting a candle in the window on 13 December, we express solidarity with the victims of Martial Law. You can also light a virtual candle at http://swiatlowolnosci.ipn.gov.pl/
The "Victims of Martial Law. Light the Light of Freedom "campaign initiated by the Institute of National Remembrance a few years ago, refers to the gesture of placing candles in the windows, through which, in the early 1980s, Poles, but also others, expressed opposition to the brutal policy of the authorities of the Polish People’s Republic and solidarity with thousands of internees and their families.
In the act of solidarity with the suffering compatriots, John Paul II decided that a symbolic light should appear in the window of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican on Christmas Eve 1981. The then US President Ronald Reagan called upon the Americans for a similar gesture of unity with the victims of Martial Law.
Let the light of millions of candles in American homes be of notice that the light of freedom is not going to be extinguished,
— said the US President during his Christmas speech in 1981.
The campaign carried out by the Institute of National Remembrance aims to commemorate all those who lost their lives or otherwise suffered as a result of Martial Law introduced on 13 December 1981. The IPN’s branch offices throughout Poland are launching commemorative and educational activities. See also
Read more about Martial Law in Poland 1981—1983.