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Enforcement of the Law on the Protection of Former Nazi Death Camps

The Law on the Protection of Former Nazi Death Camps that was passed in May has regulated issues associated with such sites, which are now treated as landmarks. The grounds occupied by the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum and the surrounding buffer zone are therefore designated in a final way.

The law and the accompanying regulations published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration made it possible to eject Kazimierz Switon from the Gravel Pit, and to remove all religious symbols from there, except for the Papal Cross. The regulations also define n detail the manner of marking the landmark area and its buffer zone. According to plans approved by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration, the grounds, covering more than 38 hectares, will be marked by 250 signs. One hundred of them will bear detailed information about entry into the landmark area, and the other 150 about entry into the buffer zone.

Four months after the law and regulations came into force, the appropriate governmental agencies showed no sign of being in a hurry to fulfill their statutory obligations.