Anti-defamation bill to be signed into law: Polish President

On February 6, the Polish President Andrzej Duda signed an anti-defamation bill that prohibits blaming Poland for assisting in Holocaust crimes, use of the historically inaccurate term "Polish death camps".

However, the law still needs the verification by the Constitutional Court, in order to ensure its compatibility with the constitution.

During a televised address, Duda justified his decision by emphasizing that "we need to protect a good name of Polish people and Poland both".

Duda also referred to some concerns that have occurred in Israel and in the United States recently, saying these concerns suggest that the new bill may lead to deny or to distort the historical truth. But the Polish president said there is no such risk.

Israeli foreign ministry has responded shortly after Duda's announcement on Twitter that Israel continues to get across with Polish authorities and has articulated its reservations towards the amendment. The ministry said it expected changes into the bill.

The anti-defamation bill has been being discussed since January 26, 2018 when Sejm (lower house of Polish parliament) passed the bill.

The law is supposed to take effect 14 days after it is published.

(Credits: China News Agency)

(With inputs from Jurist)