Another hearing in defense of Soldiers Cursed is behind us
Behind us is another hearing, held yesterday, April 22, 2024, to counter false, hurtful opinions and alleged facts about the activities of Soldiers Cursed. The crux of the matter is the inappropriateness of posts made by Professor Joanna Senyszyn, on Twitter (now portal X), insulting and defaming the memory of soldiers of the anti-communist underground.
Recall: the former MP introduced untrue information into the public space, not only failing to identify specific individuals, but distorting the historical truth. These entries, for the plaintiffs, were truly damaging, as through generalization and impersonal character they insulted the brave, righteous, life-sacrificing soldiers, who were attributed qualities and actions unrelated to themselves, and ultimately also hit their families.
At the next session of the District Court in Gdansk, Joanna Senyszyn testified from a lawsuit filed by the Association of Families of Cursed Soldiers and family members of Unbroken Soldiers, supported by the Polish League Against Defamation. During the hearing, the defendant reaffirmed her previous position. She indicated that the Cursed Soldiers committed murders, robberies, rapes and these are, in her opinion, proven incidents. She conveyed that the purpose of her publication was to educate the public on the issue, and this is all the more legitimate since she has received, as she claims, many very positive reactions following her posts. According to Professor Senyszyn, most people have the same opinion as her and support her rhetoric used in her statements and social media posts. Throughout the process, Joanna Senyszyn used the phrase “so-called” Cursed Soldiers while indicating that she is in favor of completely abolishing the March 1 holiday commemorating the heroes.
Listening to the defendant’s statements, it is important to note the legitimacy of the lawsuit filed, due to the defendant’s maintenance of her position, her lack of reflection despite having already held several hearings at which people affected by the posted entries were questioned, as well as her arrogance and subsequent disgraceful statements. The defendant’s references continue to insult Cursed Soldiers, they have not been liberalized, and we have even heard admiration for her own work, which allegedly has a wide circle of admirers. From the statements made, it is clear that Professor Senyszyn’s views and approach are not likely to change, and the absence of the lawsuit in question would most likely lead to the further spread of the slander being uttered.
The memory of the Cursed Soldiers, individuals who often sacrificed their lives fighting for an independent Poland, is extremely important to us, which is why, as the Polish League Against Defamation, we support the Association of Families of Cursed Soldiers to prevent the spread of such lies. The opinions publicly expressed by Joanna Senyszyn are hurtful not only to the family members of these soldiers, but also to all Poles. Such actions are reprehensible and unacceptable. We must do everything we can to defend the good name of these heroes, especially since it is not about a few people. The Cursed Soldiers were a 120-180,000-strong partisan, independence-oriented anti-communist movement. Also called Unbroken soldiers, they resisted the Sovietization of Poland and its subordination to the USSR, and fought against the security services of the USSR and its subordinate services in Poland.
Therefore, we will fight to the very end for justice and to stop spreading these insulting opinions and shameful lies. The hearing has been adjourned until September 3, 2024.
Another testimony of plaintiffs in the case against Joanna Senyszyn
On October 26th in the District Court in Gdansk, another hearing was held in a lawsuit filed by the Association of Families of Cursed Soldiers and family members of the Unbroken Soldiers against Joanna Senyszyn. The lawsuit concerns untrue, damaging opinions and alleged facts about the Cursed Soldiers, posted by the MP in social media. The subject of the lawsuit is 13 posts that Joanna Senyszyn made on her Twitter profile.
Testimony was given by two members of the Association of Families of Unbroken Soldiers – Dariusz Zurek (son of Jan Zurek alias „Czarny”) and Maria Wanat (daughter of Kazimierz Człowiekowski alias „Niemsta”).
Dariusz Zurek was the first to testify, stating that Cursed Soldiers are any person who had the courage to stand up to fight against the system imposed by the communists, and that the Cursed Soldiers were also people who did not fight with weapons in their hands, such as nurses, liaison officers, as well as people who fought in the political arena.” The plaintiff also pointed out that after more than thirty years of free Poland, the issues concerning the Cursed Soldiers have been clarified, and their contribution to the fight for Poland should be recognized.
Dariusz Zurek, son of Jan Zurek, alias „Black,” presented the figure of his father, who during World War II was (in January 1940) deported to Germany for forced labor. While in Germany, he assisted (March 1945) Allied forces in the operation to cross the Rhine, among other things, pointing out passages through minefields, weapons stores and camouflaged positions of German troops. The activities he undertook close to the end of the war did not give him a chance to join the Polish Army. He turned out to be in the British zone of occupation and was classified as a dipis, that is, a person who „as a result of the war found himself outside his country.”
The plaintiff testified that after returning to his homeland he saw the crimes committed by Soviet soldiers (murders, rapes, thefts), which is why he became involved in the fight against the Soviet occupiers and probably in February 1946 joined the unit commanded by Stanislaw Panek „Rudy.” The anti-communist activities of the unit’s members involved various types of operations, including smashing Citizen’s Militia posts and liquidating confidants and particularly dangerous „fixers” of the people’s power. Also carried out requisitions in offices and cooperatives. There were also some very spectacular actions against the Soviets, such as the „Czastary” action (stopping a train and shooting the Soviet soldiers who were riding on it), the action near Ochedzyn (stopping a column of Soviet cars and the partisans’ seizure of cash) and the smashing of a prison in Radomsko – Jan Zurek took part in many of these actions. The plaintiff pointed out that his father belonged to the underground Polish Army Association, an armed formation created by Capt. Stanislaw Sojczynski alias „Warszyc.” The plaintiff testified that Jan Zurek was arrested in Chobanin, after being denounced by an informer, and that he underwent a harsh investigation. He avoided the threatened death penalty and was sentenced to imprisonment for 12 years. He was eventually released in February 1955 by a ruling of the Assembly of Judges of the Supreme Military Court, after crediting seven years and two months in prison.
Regarding the opinions expressed by Prof. Senyszyn on the subject of the Cursed Soldiers, the plaintiff stated that for him it is inconceivable to make such statements about people who fought against the system that claimed the most victims. The plaintiff also testified that although Joanna Senyszyn’s entries are not directly directed at him, but apply to anyone who participated in the fight against the system, he also added that it is obvious that the phrases used arouse his feelings as a son-heir who is trying to pass on knowledge about the activities of his father, his colleagues and other people who fought against the communist regime. He added that the opinions expressed by Prof. Senyszyn, are very harmful, that through them the old times have returned, and that the defendant, being a public figure, a representative of the nation, is making opinions that are particularly bad.
When asked by the defendant whether the Cursed Soldiers committed common crimes, the plaintiff replied that under the law of the time, any speech against the authorities was a crime, adding that he had not heard of it, that the Cursed Soldiers committed common crimes, and cited examples of two actions (the death of children from a grenade and the shooting of a car) – the alleged crimes indicated by the defendant in its response to the lawsuit, explaining on the basis of knowledge gathered through analysis of documents what these actions looked like, who took part in them and how, and who were the actual perpetrators of the deaths of bystanders. The facts pointed out by the plaintiff refute the opinion that the Cursed Soldiers were the perpetrators of the deaths of bystanders who died during these actions. Another testimony was given by Maria Wanat, daughter of Kazimierz Człowiekowski alias „Niemsta”, who told the story of her father, who fought against the communist regime „with word and pen”. Kazimierz Człowiekowski’s activities were told at the previous hearing by Zbigniew Człowiekowski, as we reported on September 26 this year.
In the context of the opinions expressed by Prof. Senyszyn on the subject of the Cursed Soldiers, the plaintiff testified „they affected me personally very much, because I am the daughter of an Cursed Soldier who fought during the occupation for Poland, for our freedom, and after the war was murdered by the Security Office (in 1954). I believe that it is highly inappropriate to state that all of the Cursed Soldiers murdered, raped, killed children, women.” The claimant pointed out, also, that she is in possession of 36 folders compiled by officers of the security apparatus, which describe the anti-state activities of Kazimierz Człowiekowski, and also indicate that the society of Podkarpacie helped the Cursed Soldiers. The claimant pointed out that her father was an enemy of the people’s government, which is confirmed by documents from the security office.
The claimant recalled her dramatic experiences, including persecution or interrogation by officers who tried to force her to give information about where her father was hiding. She clearly said that she remembered those times and events, although she was only over 5 years old, said that her family was repressed, and that for years she was called a bandit’s daughter.
The plaintiff also said that after learning about Prof. Senyszyn’s entries, she experienced it very strongly, „because the name of a specific person is not given there, all the Cursed Soldiers,” says Prof. Senyszyn. Senyszyn, they are thieves, they are thugs, they are misfits, they are supposed to be on the garbage heap – this is what hurts me the most, because for years there was an effort in schools to portray the Cursed Soldiers, those who fought for the fatherland, that they are ashes and the shining diamond is the communists, and history has shown that this is not true, they are not ashes.”
After hearing the plaintiffs, another hearing date has been set – 22.04.2024, at which the defendant – Joanna Senyszyn – will be questioned.
It is also noteworthy that the Court repeatedly overruled the defendant’s questions and did not allow polemics between the defendant and the plaintiffs.
"First hearing against Joanna Senyszyn has taken place."
Yesterday (September 25, 2023) in the District Court in Gdańsk, a trial was held for the lawsuit filed by the Association of the Families of the Cursed Soldiers and members of the Families of the Unyielding Soldiers against Joanna Senyszyn. The lawsuit concerns false, injurious opinions and alleged facts about the Cursed Soldiers, published by the parliamentarian on social media. The subject of the lawsuit is 13 posts that Joanna Senyszyn shared on her Twitter profile.
During yesterday’s court session, the plaintiffs (children of the Cursed Soldiers) associated in the Association of the Families of the Cursed Soldiers and members of the Families of the Unyielding Soldiers who filed a collective lawsuit against Joanna Senyszyn provided testimony. The plaintiffs emphasized the pain caused by Joanna Senyszyn’s posts, which, in their opinion, insult and slander the memory of the soldiers of the anti-communist underground. They also pointed out the harmful nature of the posts made by a well-known person who, as a member of parliament, a professor, and an educator, introduces untrue information into the public space, not only distorting historical truth but also causing harm to the plaintiffs by attacking the memory of their parents.
The first witness, Tadeusz Płużański, President of the Association of the Families of the Cursed Soldiers (son of a Cursed Soldier – Tadeusz Płużański), stressed the validity of the lawsuit due to ongoing statements and references by the defendant that insulted the Cursed Soldiers, the Association, and him personally. The witness indicated that the defendant committed numerous injustices in her statements, such as attributing the worst characteristics to the Cursed Soldiers, a formation that continued to fight against the Soviets and the communist authorities after 1944. The witness also pointed out that the defendant could not respect the legal order of the Republic, as she demanded the abolition of the National Day of Remembrance for the Cursed Soldiers, proposed by the late President Lech Kaczyński and later established by the Polish Parliament (with votes from various political formations) and sanctioned by the signature of President Bronisław Komorowski.
The witness provided the court with information about his father’s activities, indicating, among other things, that he was the closest collaborator of Second Lieutenant Witold Pilecki. The witness also spoke about the anti-communist activities of his father, emphasizing that, along with Second Lieutenant Pilecki, they were officers of the Polish army and belonged to the Polish intelligence group. The witness highlighted that the Cursed Soldiers fought in various ways, both with weapons in hand and through intelligence methods.
The witness also pointed out the actions of the communist authorities, which sought to erase the memory of the Cursed Soldiers and construct a narrative portraying them as bandits. The witness also discussed the reprisals of the communist authorities against the families of soldiers from the anti-communist underground, the personal impact of the defendant’s statements, and the consequences they caused. The witness emphasized that the defendant’s posts „echoed loudly,” especially since they appeared around March 1 – the Day of Remembrance for the Cursed Soldiers, and the defendant, at that time, spoke out strongly to be heard and strike a blow at Polish heroes and the legal order of the Republic.
The next witness, Maryla Ścibor-Marchocka, stated that hearing Joanna Senyszyn’s statements was like a slap in the face because people who spoke in the same language about the Cursed Soldiers were the ones who interrogated them. She mentioned that the language of the interrogators, calling them „bandits” and „murderers,” is familiar from the stories of her father and his colleagues – soldiers of the anti-communist underground. The witness also spoke about the reprisals her family experienced, stating that she was called „a bandit’s daughter.” She added that Senyszyn’s statements were a repetition of her childhood experiences when, as a child, she was insulted as the daughter of a bandit. The witness provided information about her father Stanisław Pełko Ścibor-Marchocki’s activities, indicating, among other things, that he was the closest associate of Second Lieutenant Witold Pilecki.
In her testimony, the witness also addressed the denial by Joanna Senyszyn of the National Day of Remembrance for the Cursed Soldiers and expressed strong protest against such publications.
Upon questioning by Joanna Senyszyn, the witness confirmed that she read Senyszyn’s posts and the comments in which recipients identified with her statements, stating that this identification created a sense of threat. She added that if Senyszyn did not write such tweets, these comments would not appear in such quantity and would not have a chance to gain attention in public debate.
In response to further questions by Joanna Senyszyn, which the judge often ruled out as attempting to engage in historical discussion, personal polemics with witnesses, or trying to enter the court’s competencies, the witness firmly stated that Senyszyn’s posts tarnished the good name of their heroes, the soldiers who fought against the German and Soviet occupiers.
The next witness, Aleksandra Moroń, the daughter of Tadeusz Przewoźnik (codenamed „Kuba”) and the niece of Jan Przewoźnik (codenamed „Ryś”), who was killed in the „Lawina” action prepared by the Security Office, expressed deep regret upon reading Joanna Senyszyn’s posts. She quoted
Lawsuit for Violation of Personal Rights
The Association of Families of the Steadfast Soldiers and members of the families of the Steadfast Soldiers, supported by the RDI, filed a lawsuit against Joanna Senyszyn for infringement of personal rights. The lawsuit relates to untrue, damaging opinions about the Steadfast Soldiers posted by the former MP in social media. Family members demand that the defendant removes the said posts, places an apology on her Twitter profile and pays compensation in the amount of PLN 100 000 to the Association.
The filed lawsuit pertains to 13 posts made within the last 4 years by Joanna Senyszyn on her Twitter profile. Each of these entries has resonated widely in nationwide media. In the latest post published on March 1st of this year, on the National Day of Remembrance for Cursed Soldiers, Joanna Senyszyn insulted the memory, activities, and honor of the Cursed Soldiers in particularly harsh words. The former MP wrote: „Cursed Soldiers are not soldiers but gangs of social outcasts, layabouts, and frustrated individuals awaiting World War III. They murdered 5,000 civilians, including 187 children, looted, raped, tortured, and intimidated Poles rebuilding the country. Their holiday is an open mockery of Polish citizens. It will be abolished.” It is worth noting that Senyszyn’s profile is followed by over 20,000 people.
– Joanna Senyszyn has repeatedly insulted the memory of the Cursed Soldiers – individuals who often sacrificed their lives fighting for an independent Poland. Therefore, as the Good Name Defense Team of the Polish League Against Defamation, we support the Association of Cursed Soldiers’ Families to prevent the spread of falsehoods. Joanna Senyszyn’s publicly expressed opinions are not only hurtful to the family members of these soldiers but also to all Poles. Such actions are reprehensible and unacceptable. We must do everything to defend the good name of these heroes – assessed the Good Name Defense Team of the Polish League Against Defamation.
Cursed Soldiers, numbering 120-180,000 individuals, were a partisan, pro-independence, anti-communist movement. Also known as the „Unconquered Soldiers,” they resisted the Sovietization of Poland and its subordination to the USSR, engaging in a struggle against the Soviet security services and their subordinate services in Poland. The movement operated at the end and just after World War II, from 1944 to 1963, when the last of the soldiers perished.
