Polish human rights official under fire for Holocaust remark

WARSAW, Poland – A leading Polish human rights official has come under fire for saying the “Polish nation” took part in the implementation of the Holocaust — a controversial statement in a country that never collaborated with Nazi Germany during World War II.

Adam Bodnar, the country’s human rights commissioner, or ombudsman, apologized for the comment but members of Poland’s conservative government say he has disqualified himself and should resign.

Deputy Foreign Minister Jan Dziedziczak called Bodnar’s comment “scandalous” and untrue and said it “disqualifies him from public life.”

On Wednesday Bodnar said: “There is no doubt that the Germans were responsible for the Holocaust, but many nations took part in its implementation. Among them — and I say this with regret — the Polish nation.”