Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki: martial law was supposed to destroy "Solidarity" – the greatest creation of Poles after World War II
13.12.2021
On 13 December 1981, the communist authorities declared martial law in Poland. A significant number of national and regional Solidarity leaders, advisors, members of works committees of large factories, democratic opposition activists and intellectuals associated with Solidarity were imprisoned. On the 40th anniversary of those events, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki took part in ceremonies organised at the Museum of Cursed Soldiers and Political Prisoners of the Polish People's Republic. On this special day, we express our solidarity and gratitude for the courage and sacrifice of all the people repressed under martial law.
We must preserve the truth about the events of 40 years ago
As Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki emphasised, after 1980, it was already clear to the leaders of the People's Republic of Poland that Poles wanted freedom and Solidarity, and that the communist authorities had no support in the nation. "The introduction of martial law was not the so-called 'lesser evil' but a planned action to destroy Solidarity - the greatest creation of Poles after World War II," emphasised the head of the government. "Solidarity planted the seeds of brotherhood, trust and hope for freedom, and martial law was supposed to destroy those hopes," he explained.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki noted that it is now our duty to remember and cherish the truth, and the greatest expression of victory over martial law will be the fight for the ideals of Solidarity.
"If the Solidarity ideals prevail, Poland will be victorious, while General Jaruzelski and the communists – those who tried to blur the past and wanted to erase Solidarity, will lose" said the head of the government.
Martial law
On 13 December 1981, at 6 am, Polskie Radio broadcast a speech of General W. Jaruzelski, who informed about the formation of the Military Council of National Salvation and the introduction of martial law in the whole country by the decree of the Council of State.
In the first days, approximately 5 thousand people were interned and held in 49 detention centres throughout the country. The total number of internees reached 10 thousand. Many national and regional leaders of Solidarity, advisors, members of works committees of large factories, democratic opposition activists and intellectuals associated with Solidarity were imprisoned. Martial law claimed at least 100 lives.
