This time, the EU Commission pretends it doesn't know about the recent request of Poland's General Prosecutor and Minister of Justice for the banning of the Communist Party of Poland. Replying to a relevant question by KKE MEP Kostas Papadakis, Commission's VP Vera Jourová turns a blind eye to the shameful actions of the Polish state against the Communist Party, hypocritically pointing out that “matters concerning the Communist Party of Poland have not been brought to the Commission's attention so far under these frameworks for dialogue”.
It is not a surprise. The EU has showed that anti-communism is a core aspect of its official policy. The persecution of communist ideology is a necessary complement to the anti-people, anti-worker policy and becomes even more intensified in times of capitalist economic crisis. However, no matter how many anti-communist campaigns the EU and the bourgeois governments will launch, no matter how many repressive laws they will vote in order to obstruct the activity of the communists, they cannot stop the progress of history.
Below, you can read the question of KKE MEP Kostas Papadakis and the answer given by EU Commissioner Vera Jourová:
Question for written answer E-006843/2020 to the Commission.
Kostas Papadakis.
Subject: The despicable request to ban the Communist Party of Poland
Poland's Prosecutor General and Minister for Justice have applied to the Constitutional Court for the banning of the Communist Party of Poland. This is yet another provocative attempt to obstruct activities by communists in an EU Member State.
The charges brought are based on Poland's unacceptable legislative framework which, in a historically inaccurate fashion, equates communists and fascists under the umbrella of ‘totalitarianism’. Citing the articles of association of the Communist Party of Poland, they refer to an attempt to impose ‘totalitarian and communist methods’ despite the fact that in recent years the indictment collapsed and the Communist Party of Poland was absolved in court.
In the light of this:
Where does the Commission stand on the request for an immediate end to be put to the proceedings against the Communist party of Poland and for guarantees to be given regarding its unimpeded participation in the country’s social and political life?
What is its position on the issue of the unacceptable criminalisation of communist ideology by the Polish authorities and the proceedings brought against anyone spreading such ideology, given that they violate the most fundamental democratic rights and freedoms?
Answer given by Vice-President Vera Jourová on behalf of the European Commission.
E-006843/2020
16 March 2021
Democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights are core values of the European project. The Commission published its first Rule of Law Report on 30 September 2020 as part of the Rule of Law Mechanism and is in dialogue with the Polish authorities on the matters identified in the country chapter for Poland(1).
Furthermore, the Commission presented on 3 December 2020 its European Democracy Action Plan(2) to empower citizens and uphold the rules of pluralistic democratic debate.
Matters concerning the Communist Party of Poland have not been brought to the Commission’s attention so far under these frameworks for dialogue.
It is the responsibility of Member States to uphold and defend fundamental democratic rights and freedoms and of the competent national administrative and judicial authorities to ensure compliance with the values enshrined in the Treaties and in line with their international commitments.
The Commission will continue to monitor closely developments related to the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights in view of its EU Treaties obligations.
