Tusk Announces Memorial Wall for Volhynian Massacre Victims

Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared that Warsaw will construct a memorial wall to commemorate the victims of the Volhynian massacre, emphasizing the necessity of truth and burial for historical reconciliation.

Truth as a Path to Reconciliation

On the anniversary of the peak of the Volhynian massacre, known as “Bloody Sunday,” Prime Minister Donald Tusk identified the atrocities as genocide committed by Ukrainian nationalists against Poles and other citizens of the Second Polish Republic. He asserted that acknowledging the truth, naming the perpetrators, and condemning the crimes is a fundamental duty to the victims.

Exhumations and the Right to Dignity

Tusk emphasized that the victims cannot remain nameless and must receive a dignified burial. As Prime Minister, he has initiated efforts to resume the search for and exhumation of Polish victims of 20th-century crimes in Ukraine, a process long awaited by their surviving families.

A Permanent Memorial in Warsaw

To preserve the memory of those lost, a Wall of Remembrance will be erected in Warsaw featuring an eternal flame and the names of all identified victims. Tusk stated that this project ensures the Republic will not forget those who were murdered.

Building a Future Beyond Hatred

The Prime Minister stressed that historical memory must not fuel further nationalism or hatred. He argued that true reconciliation, similar to the post-WWII European model, requires a foundation built on truth, solidarity, and mutual respect, which is essential for the future security of Poland and Europe.