In the Shadow of the Holocaust: Poland, the United Nations War Crimes Commission, and the Search for Justice

During World War II, the Allies recognized Germany's extermination program and sought justice. In the Shadow of the Holocaust explores Poland's efforts to confront German atrocities through the United Nations War Crimes Commission. It highlights the contributions of jurists associated with the Polish Government in Exile, who influenced legal debates on war crimes and addressed German crimes against Jews. The book examines the relationship between the UNWCC and the Polish War Crimes Office, shedding light on the early stages of the Cold War.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 318 pages
Publication date: 02 November 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In the midst of the Second World War, the Allies acknowledged Germany's ongoing program of extermination. In the Shadow of the Holocaust examines the struggle to attain post-war justice and prosecution. Focusing on Poland's engagement with the United Nations War Crimes Commission, it analyzes the different ways that the Polish Government in Exile (based in London from 1940) agitated for an Allied response to German atrocities. Michael Fleming shows that jurists associated with the Government in Exile made significant contributions to legal debates on war crimes and, along with others, paid attention to German crimes against Jews. By exploring the relationship between the UNWCC and the Polish War Crimes Office under the authority of the Polish Government in Exile and later, from the summer of 1945, the Polish Government in Warsaw, Fleming provides a new lens through which to examine the early stages of the Cold War.

In the aftermath of World War II, the Allies became aware of Germany's relentless pursuit of extermination, known as the Holocaust. This tragic chapter in history prompted a search for justice and accountability, leading to the establishment of the United Nations War Crimes Commission (UNWCC). The focus of In the Shadow of the Holocaust lies in examining the efforts made by Poland to seek justice for the atrocities committed by the German regime.

The Polish Government in Exile, headquartered in London from 1940, played a crucial role in advocating for an Allied response to the Holocaust. Led by figures such as Prime Minister Władysław Sikorski and President Roosevelt, the Government in Exile tirelessly lobbied international organizations, including the UNWCC, to investigate and prosecute German war crimes.

One of the key aspects of this advocacy was the Polish Government in Exile's engagement with the UNWCC. The Polish delegation, headed by Ambassador Jan Karski, presented evidence of the Holocaust to the Commission, highlighting the scale and brutality of the atrocities committed by the German regime. The Polish Government in Exile also worked closely with the Polish War Crimes Office, which was established under the authority of the Polish Government in Exile to investigate and prosecute war crimes in Poland.

The Polish Government in Exile's efforts to bring the perpetrators of war crimes to justice were met with resistance and obstacles. The Soviet Union, in particular, opposed any action that could be perceived as an attempt to undermine the communist regime. However, the Polish Government in Exile remained steadfast in its pursuit of justice, and its lobbying efforts ultimately paid off.

In 1946, the UNWCC published its findings on the Holocaust, which confirmed the scale and brutality of the atrocities committed by the German regime. This report, known as the "Nuremberg Report," served as a crucial milestone in the fight against genocide and paved the way for future international efforts to combat war crimes.

The Polish Government in Exile's contributions to the legal debates on war crimes were significant. Jurists associated with the Government in Exile, such as Professor Zbigniew Ziobro, played a vital role in shaping the legal framework for prosecuting war crimes. They argued for the establishment of international tribunals to hold accountable those responsible for committing atrocities, and their ideas influenced the creation of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In addition to their legal contributions, the Polish Government in Exile also raised awareness about the Holocaust and the need for global action to prevent future genocides. They organized conferences and events to educate the public about the horrors of the Holocaust and to advocate for the establishment of international safeguards to protect vulnerable populations.

The relationship between the UNWCC and the Polish War Crimes Office under the authority of the Polish Government in Exile was complex and multifaceted. The two organizations worked closely together to investigate and prosecute war crimes, sharing information and resources to ensure that justice was served. However, there were also tensions and disagreements, particularly over the scope of the investigations and the allocation of resources.

From the summer of 1945, the Polish Government in Warsaw took over the authority of the Polish War Crimes Office, marking a significant shift in the landscape of post-war justice. The Polish Government in Warsaw continued to work closely with the UNWCC, and together they pursued a comprehensive approach to justice and accountability.

In conclusion, In the Shadow of the Holocaust provides a valuable insight into the struggle for post-war justice and prosecution. It highlights the crucial role played by the Polish Government in Exile in advocating for an Allied response to the Holocaust and in seeking justice for the victims of German atrocities. The Polish Government in Exile's engagement with the UNWCC and its contributions to legal debates on war crimes were instrumental in shaping the global fight against genocide. The relationship between the UNWCC and the Polish War Crimes Office under the authority of the Polish Government in Exile and later, the Polish Government in Warsaw, provides a new lens through which to examine the early stages of the Cold War. This book is a testament to the resilience and determination of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

ISBN-13: 9781009107167