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The period of martial law in Poland refers to the time from December 13, 1981 to July 22, 1983 when the government of the People's Republic of Poland drastically restricted normal life. The phrase in Polish is "Stan Wojenny", which translates literally as "state of war". The country remained at peace for the duration, however democratic movements (such as Solidarity) were banned and their leaders, including Lech Wałęsa, imprisoned. The martial law was the cause of a number of deaths. Those responsible claim about a dozen fatalities, while a parliamentary commission from 1989-1991 arrived at a figure of about 90 deaths*.
Even after martial law was lifted restrictions remained in place for several years. Martial law also had negative economic consequences: An "economic reform" was instituted that amounted to a major price hike, as a result of which the income of the population fell in real terms by about 20% (some estimates are higher)*.
After the downfall of Communism in Poland in 1989, it was determined that the martial law had been declared in clear violation of Poland's constitution. This had authorised the Council of State to declare martial law only between parliamentary sessions (at other times the decision was to be taken by Sejm (parliament). However, the Sejm had been in session at the time when martial law was instituted. In 1992 the Sejm declared the martial law in Poland illegal*.
MARTIAL LAW IN POLAND INTERNMENT CAMPS 1981-1982
Many wounds remain unhealed following the numerous tragedies that have occurred in the world such as Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and the Persian Gulf to name a few. These tragedies have left their imprints on the psyche of the people who experienced and survived them. These extreme situations, in which average people find themselves, can be described by the following words: “If something doesn’t kill you – it will make you stronger.” Many of these people have moved on, beginning new lives, and have also become more sensitive to the fate of their fellow man and his problems.
As an evil force, communism ravaged Poland and the psyche of its population, but the nobility of the cause to defeat it provided the strength to survive the difficult situation. The period of martial law was treated in Poland as an actual war and therefore a situation comparable with other conflicts in the world.
More than 20 years have now past since the introduction of martial law in Poland. The laws of nature are unavoidable: the people who endured that time are dying, memories are fading and documents have been destroyed. Meanwhile, a new generation has come along for whom this is the distant past.
I was one of the thousands of Solidarity members interned during marital law, detained in the Gębarzewo and Kwidzyn camps. The purpose of this site is to acquaint the visitor with the creativity and ingenuity displayed by the detainees during their internment in the camps of the People’s Republic of Poland in 1981-1982. Envelopes, postage stamps, illustrations, calendars, posters, brochures, among others, were made in the camps in conspiratorial conditions and are a manifestation of their faith, determination and opposition to the ruling political junta. These items are not only souvenirs, but testimony to the power of the human spirit.
Krzysztof Stasiewski
December 1981, Warsaw — Order No. 50/81/CZZK of the Minister of Justice, dated 13 December 1981, concerning the establishment of isolation centers: On the basis of article 45 item 1 of the Decree on Martial Law, dated 12 December 1981 (Journal of Laws No. 29 item 154), the following is ordered:
§1
Isolation centers will be established in: - Biała Podlaska - Białystok - Cieszyn (Bielsk region) - Bydgoszcz-Fordon and Potulice (Bydgoszcz region) - Chełm, Krasnystaw, Włodawa (Chełm region) - Lubliniec (Częstochowa region) - Gdańsk, Jurata, Strzeblinek (Gdańsk region) - Gorzów Wielkopolski - Kamienna Góra (Jelenia Góra region) - Ostrów Wielkopolski (Kalisz region) - Bytom, Jastrzębi Zdrój, Racibórz, Sosnowiec, Zabrze (Katowice region) - Kielce - Jaworze and Wierzchowo (Koszalin region) - Kraków (30 Montelupich Street) - Uherce (Krosno region) - Głogów (Legnica region) - Łódź (1/5 Kraszewskiego Street) - Iława, Ostróda (Olsztyn region) - Opole, Grodków, Strzelce Opolskie (3 Świerczewskiego Street) (Opole region) - Wronki (Piła region) - Łęczyca (Płock region) - Gębarzewo and Poznań (Poznań region) - Radom - Rzeszów – Załęże - Tromnik (Siedlce region) - Sieradz - Łowicz (Skierniewice region) - Suwałki - Goleniów and kamień Pomorski (Szczecin region) - Nisko (Tarnobrzeg region) - Nowy Wiśnicz (Tarnów region) - Świdnica (Wałbrzych region) - Włocławek - Warszawa (1 Ciupagi Street and 71a Chłopickiego Street) - Wrocław (31 Klęczkowska Street) - Zielona Góra
§2
Isolation centers are created as independent organizational units or as separate departments in penitentiaries, detention centers and social rehabilitation centers.
§3
The management and administration of the internees in the isolation centers is the responsibility of the Penitentiary Services.
§4
The Order becomes valid on the day it is signed.
In consultation with the: Minister of Internal Affairs Minister of Justice
INTERNMENTS
Attachment to “Daily Information” dated 14.12.1981. Results of activities undertaken by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in connection with martial law.
I. Internees
The number of people planned to be interned was 4318, of which 3392 have been interned across the country, including: - 88 members of KOR - 78 members of KPN - 135 members of the National Commission NSZZ “SOLIDARNOSC” - 403 members of the Regional Management Boards of NSZZ “SOLIDARNOSC” - 1051 members of factory committees of NSZZ “SOLIDARNOSC” The internment operation is continuing in 45 voivodships. II. Interrogations
To date, 394 interrogations have been conducted, including, among others, with:
- 6 members of regional governing bodies - 12 members of “SOLIDARNOSC” factory committees Of the total number of people who have been interrogated, 394 people have signed declarations of loyalty and 45 people have refused to sign the declaration. Those people have been interned.
During the period of martial law, 10 132 orders of internment have been issued to 9736 people (396 orders of internment involved people being interned a second time after being released from an isolation center). Among those interned, 8728 were men and 1008 were women.
1. During martial law:
- orders of internment were rescinded for 424 people has they were temporarily arrested, - 116 people were arrested after being released from internment due to engaging in illegal activities (1.19% of the total interned).
2. Following the suspension of martial law, legal proceedings were initiated against 89 people who had previously been interned, including:
Jan Beszta-Borowski, who was released at the end of December 1981 and interned a second time in September 1982.
Maciej Frankiewicz, who escaped from hospital in March 1982 and was rearrested in June 1982.
See also
- Kopalnia Wujek (the Wujek Mine massacre)
- Military Council of National Salvation
- History of Poland (1945-1989)#The end of Communist rule (1980-1990)
- Martial law in Poland
External links
"Martial law in Poland"