Poland wants to punish for “Banderism”: what does the new bill provide for?
30 September 2025 06:54
A bill has been registered in the Polish Sejm that could have a significant impact on both the country’s domestic policy and Ukrainians living in Poland. The document envisages increased responsibility for propaganda of the “Banderite ideology,” changes in border crossing rules, and complications in the procedure for obtaining citizenship.
According to the Polish media RFM24 and Rzeczpospolita, the bill was initiated by Polish President Karol Navrotsky, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
Punishment for “Banderism”
According to the document, Poland may introduce criminal liability for public propaganda of the ideas of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).
According to the presidential announcement, the bill amends the Law on the Institute of National Remembrance and the Criminal Code.
The goal is to prevent “the spread of false allegations in Poland about crimes committed by members or employees of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists of the Bandera faction, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army and other Ukrainian formations that collaborated with the Third Reich, in particular regarding the genocide of Poles in Volyn.”
The justification states that the so-called “Banderaism” is seen as an ideology “directed against the Polish people in the historical eastern crosses”. The authors of the draft law continue to use the term “eastern kresy,” a historical designation for the western part of modern Ukraine that belonged to Poland until 1939.
According to the draft law, criminal liability may be introduced for the public dissemination of such ideas, up to several years in prison.
Strengthening border control
In addition to ideological restrictions, the document contains provisions to increase penalties for illegal border crossing. While the current maximum prison term is three years, it may increase to five years after the amendments are adopted.
Stricter liability for organizing illegal border crossings for others is also envisaged.
Complications of obtaining citizenship
Navrotsky’s second draft law provides for changes to the law on Polish citizenship.
He proposes to increase the minimum period of continuous residence in the country from 3 to 10 years required for granting Polish citizenship to a foreigner.
This applies to those who reside in Poland on the basis of a permanent residence permit, EU long-term resident status or the right of permanent residence.
According to experts, this decision may affect a significant number of Ukrainians who have been temporarily or permanently residing in Poland since the outbreak of a full-scale war.
Reaction and consequences
The new initiatives have already sparked a debate in Polish political and human rights circles. Critics of the law emphasize that such rhetoric could increase tensions between Poland and Ukraine, as well as complicate the integration of Ukrainians who have become part of Polish society.
Polish lawyers have already called Navrotsky’s initiatives “controversial and risky.”
Lawyers warn that the introduction of such norms could worsen Polish-Ukrainian relations, as well as create an atmosphere of suspicion and distrust towards Ukrainians temporarily or permanently residing in Poland.
Nevertheless, the Presidential Chancellery emphasizes that the bills are aimed at protecting historical truth and state security in Poland.
If the draft law is passed, the Polish government will receive additional tools to control ideological statements and migration processes, which could significantly change the political climate in the country.
