To The Embassy of the Republic of Poland
Mrs. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Katarzyna Skórzyńska
Lisbon, 7th. June 2010
It is with great concern that we have news of a growing anti-communist campaign in Poland, by means of an announced implementation of measures that seriously limit elementary rights of freedom of expression and opinion.
Namely, a law that aims to forbid and punish the use of communist symbols – even going as far as comparing them to Nazi symbology and propaganda – which is expected to come into force on 8th June. This constitutes a matter of concern and strong repudiation by the Portuguese communists and democrats in general.
Such anachronistic and persecutory measures, in this beginning of the 21st. century, constitute a flagrant violation of the basic democratic guarantees and principles of all citizens and also configure an unacceptable form of intimidation and pressure, representing a grave display of the most primitive anti-communism.
We cannot avoid noticing that the referred measures are filled with a spirit of civilizational regression and part of dangerous revanchist purposes, inseparable from the attempts to institute in Europe a typical climate of witch hunt, bringing back memories of the darkest pages of 20th century history.
A situation which discredits responsible institutions and the powers responsible for such condemnable initiatives and which insults the memory of many millions who gave their lives in the struggle against fascism all over our Continent.
For these reasons and expressing its solidarity with the Communist Party of Poland, the Polish communists and its sympathizers, the Polish workers and all those who feel affected by the discriminatory and discretionary measures of the present measures, the PCP demands their abolition by the responsible bodies of the Republic of Poland and respect for freedom and democracy.
In publicly announcing the position expressed here, the PCP will continue to voice its solidary protest against all attempts and campaigns to curtail the freedom and political activity of the communists and all those who fight for democracy, social progress and socialism, joining the innumerous voices that in Europe and the World have expressed their anger and denounced the anti-communist and anti-democratic escalade patent in Poland.
With our best regards,
