The statement by Tomasz Siemoniak, minister of Internal Affairs and Administration in Poland, is related to a controversial photograph shared online by a far-right activist. Paweł Wyrzykowski from the Confederation party posted a picture of migrants forced to make a gesture resembling horns.
The confederate disgracefully joked about the men being clearly humiliated by instructing them to place their index fingers against their heads. His post was captioned: "new bunnies". The Confederation party officially distanced itself from Wyrzykowski's behaviour.
Wyrzykowski's actions garnered notice after Piotr Czaban, affiliated with the Podlaskie Volunteer Humanitarian Ambulance at the Polish-Belarusian border, reported his post to authorities, alleging it depicted humiliating treatment of foreigners. The Center for Monitoring Racist and Xenophobic Behavior confirmed it is pursuing twelve legal cases, both criminal and civil, against Wyrzykowski as a result.
"Reports of unethical treatment of migrants in the media should be reported to law enforcement, not perpetuated. Combating hate crimes is a priority for the Polish Police, and appropriate actions are taken in every such situation. There is no tolerance for breaking the law and spreading hatred," announced the Polish Police on their website X, condemning Wyrzykowski's actions.
Minister Tomasz Siemoniak appealed to society to promptly report similar incidents and announced that he is cooperating on this matter with Police Commander-in-Chief Marek Boroń, as well as his deputies, Czesław Mroczek and Maciej Duszczyk.
"I sincerely thank the Polish Police for taking immediate action in every situation where hate crimes occur. There is no consent for dehumanizing anyone, ever," emphasized Duszczyk on x.com in response to the declaration regarding the fight against hate speech towards migrants in Poland.
Source: PAP/x.com/@TomaszSiemoniak/@PolskaPolicja/@MaciejDuszczyk/@CzabanPiotr
