The issue of exhumation of victims of genocide in Volyn remains 1 of the most delicate and controversial topics in Polish-Ukrainian relations.
Despite many years of efforts, it was only late that the Ukrainian side began to agree to the exhumation, although the process inactive faces difficulties. At the same time in Ukraine there is simply a cult of the Ukrainian Insurgency Army (UPA), which raises opposition in Poland, especially in the context of attempts to force consent on the Polish government to commemorate UPA in the territory of Poland.
According to a conversation by Deputy Minister of Culture Marty Cienkowska in Polsat News, the Ukrainian side has so far examined 3 of the 15 Polish proposals concerning the exhumation of victims of the Volyn crime.
"For now, the Ukrainian side has examined 3 applications from the 15 which were submitted by the Polish side. However, we are waiting for further affirmative consideration. There seems to be no problems with the affirmative examination of applications."
Despite this, she avoided giving circumstantial locations:
“I would alternatively not tell you precisely where they will be conducted...”
Such an approach sparked critical questions of the leader, who noted that the Polish public had heard many times about the "breakthrough" in this case, but lacked real results. Dąbrowski asked:
“But if they have agreed, what is there to hide?”
The Vice-Chief of the MKiDN replied that the subject was highly delicate and stressed that the aim was not to "hidden" but to defend the families of victims and prevent media sensations. She besides stated:
“We don’t want a situation where Polish media, Polish influencers or average lunatics who will do this sensation and sale fake news in the media will appear in the burial site.”
The Volyn massacre, carried out by UPA in 1943–1945, consumed the lives of at least 100,000 Poles. These were mass murders in which victims – women, children and old people – died in a beastly way. The slaughter was aimed at cultural cleansing of Volyn and east Małopolska from the Polish population.
For years, Poland has been demanding exhumation and a worthy burial of victims, but the Ukrainian side has long blocked these actions, fearing the deterioration of global relations and the increase of anti-Ukrainian sentiments in Poland.
In Ukraine, UPA cult is widely cultivated – the leader of this organization, Stepan Bandera, is considered a national hero. In many cities there are monuments commemorating UPA, and in school textbooks their conflict for Ukrainian independency is glorified.
The problem is besides the force that the Ukrainian side exerts on Poland on the issue of consent to commemorate UPA in the territory of Poland. This is peculiarly scandalous, as UPA was liable for the genocide in Poles. The Polish public does not accept specified attempts, considering them as incompatible with the historical fact and memory of the victims.
Despite apparent progress, the issue of the exhumation of Volyn victims inactive faces political and social barriers. Ukraine, promoting the worship of UPA, at the same time delayes actions to bury the victims of this organization worthyly. The question that remains open is: will Poland be able to bring about the full commemoration of its victims, without succumbing to force to accept the symbolism of UPA in its territory?
