Elzbieta Radziszewska, Poland’s minister of equality, plans to introduce legislation banning ‘the production and propagation of material that incites a fascist or totalitarian system.’
Minister Radziszewska wants to expand Article 256 of the Criminal Code which proposes a two-year prison sentence for producing fascist or totalitarian propaganda or which incites racist sentiments. The Minister now seeks to expand the law to include books, clothing and other items.
“The proposal would include the banning of things such as t-shirts bearing the face of Lenin,” says Dr. Slawomir Steinborn, a criminal lawyer from the University of Gdańsk
“Adopting such a law would support organizations that fight racism,” Minister Radziszewska claims.
According to the Ministry of Equality, the new regulation would include the production and sale of Nazi memorabilia featuring the face of Hitler, the swastika, or signet rings and other products containing such symbols.
Minister Radziszewska argues that many stores in western Poland sell such items and that, largely, neo-Nazis from Germany buy them because such items are banned in that country. (mmj/pg)