Up to three years in prison: Poland drafts new law targeting 'Banderism'

A bill submitted to the Polish Sejm by President Karol Nawrocki seeks to restrict the promotion of so-called "Banderite ideology" and tighten border-crossing regulations. The new initiatives have sparked discussion among experts and could affect Ukrainians living in Poland.

Restricting 'Banderism'

The draft law proposes banning the public promotion of the ideology of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (Bandera faction) and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). If adopted, violators could face up to three years in prison.

The explanatory note claims that "Banderism" was historically directed against Poles in the so-called "Eastern Borderlands", a term Polish authorities continue to use to describe western Ukraine as it was before 1939.

Tougher border-crossing rules

In addition to ideological restrictions, the bill calls for harsher penalties for illegal border crossings and for organizing such activities. The maximum prison term would increase from three to five years.

Longer path to citizenship

Another measure would extend the required residence period for naturalization from three to ten years. Experts warn that this could particularly impact Ukrainians residing in Poland.

Earlier, NATO countries reaffirmed their readiness to intercept Russian aircraft and missiles violating alliance airspace, signaling determination not to yield to provocations. At a UN Security Council meeting, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski noted that NATO had often turned a blind eye to Moscow’s provocations in the past, allowing Russia to continue spreading disinformation instead of acknowledging its actions.

It was also reported that between September 19 and 20, five Ukrainian citizens were detained and expelled from Poland.