A national minority differs from an ethnic minority in that it identifies itself with a nation that has its own state, while an ethnic minority does not. This is defined by the Polish Act of January 6, 2005, on National and Ethnic Minorities and Regional Languages. The remaining provisions of both definitions are virtually identical, and the rights of both groups are largely equal.
To sum it up
- National minority identifies with a nation organized within the framework of its state (for example, Germans, Lithuanians, Ukrainians).
- Ethnic minority does not identify itself with any nation that has its own state (for example, Gypsies, Karaites, Lemkos, Tatars).
- The law lists 9 national and 4 ethnic minorities ; the Kashubian language has a separate status as a regional language.
- Both groups have equal rights to language, culture and education; differences concern, in particular, electoral laws.
What is a national minority?
In accordance with Article 2, paragraph 1 of the Law, a national minority is considered to be a group of Polish citizens, meeting six conditions:
- its numbers are smaller than those of the rest of the population of Poland.
- Significantly different from other citizens in language, culture and traditions.
- strives to preserve its language, culture or traditions.
- is aware of its historical national community and strives to express and protect it.
- Her ancestors lived in the territory of modern Poland for at least 100 years.
- identifies itself with a nation organized within the framework of its own state .
The law lists nine national minorities Belarusian, Czech, Lithuanian, German, Armenian, Russian, Slovak, Ukrainian, and Jewish. Each of them has its own state: Belarus, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Germany, Armenia, Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Israel.
Important: This applies to citizens of Poland . Foreigners residing in Poland, such as economic migrants, do not constitute a national minority within the meaning of this law and do not meet the requirement of one hundred years of residence based on the origin of their ancestors.
What is an ethnic minority?
The definition of an ethnic minority in Article 2, Section 3 of the Law repeats the same conditions, but with two changes. Instead of national communal identity, it uses historical ethnic communal identity , and the last condition is changed to the opposite: group does not identify itself with the nation organized within the framework of its own state .
There are people living in Poland four ethnic minorities Karaites, Lemkos, Roma, and Tatars. Roma, Karaites, and Polish Tatars have no state that would serve as their national center. Lemkos are a special case – some consider themselves a separate group, others consider them part of the Ukrainian nation; the law recognizes the Lemko minority as an ethnic minority.
Differences between national and ethnic minorities
In Polish law the only criterion for differentiation is the connection with the state . Both groups require knowledge of language, culture, traditions, population size, and a century-long presence on Polish soil. In sociology and political science, additional attention is paid to aspirations: a national minority is associated with the existing state or strives for its own statehood, while an ethnic minority has no such aspirations.
| Characteristic | National minority | Ethnic minority |
|---|---|---|
| Relations with the state | Identifies itself with a nation that has its own state. | He does not identify himself with a nation that has its own state. |
| Community type | National community awareness | Awareness of ethnic communities |
| Number in Poland | 9 | 4 |
| Examples | Germans, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Lithuanians, Jews | Gypsies, Lemkos, Karaites, Tatars |
| requirement for ancestors to have lived there for 100 years | Yes | Yes |
| Auxiliary language and bilingual names | Yes, in accordance with the law. | Yes, under the same conditions. |
| Exemption from the 5% threshold for elections to the Seimas (Article 197 of the Electoral Code) | Yes – for committees of national minority organizations. | This provision does not mention ethnic minorities. |
What rights do national and ethnic minorities have in Poland?
It is based on Article 35 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland , which guarantees citizens belonging to national and ethnic minorities the freedom to preserve and develop their language, customs, traditions, and culture. The 2005 law expands these guarantees. The most important of these are:
- Names and surnames, written in accordance with the spelling rules of the minority language.
- free use of a minority language in private and public life and the dissemination of information on it.
- Learning a minority language or communicating in a minority language , as well as the study of its history and culture.
- Auxiliary formulations in municipal government – when the minority constitutes at least 20% of the population and the municipality is included in the Official Register of Municipalities.
- Additional names of cities and streets in the minority language (bilingual signs) – provided that they cannot refer to names given in 1933–1945 by the authorities of the Third Reich or the USSR.
Joint Commission of the Government and National and Ethnic Minorities It operates under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister and is an advisory body that, among other things, issues opinions on draft legislation concerning minorities.
A significant practical difference concerns elections. Article 197 of the Electoral Code allows committees formed by members of registered organizations national minorities , enjoy an exemption from the 5% threshold for elections to the Seimas. This provision does not apply to ethnic minorities.
Are Kashubians and Silesians a minority or not?
The same law regulates regional language . This Kashubian language . Consequently, the Kashubians are not a national or ethnic minority, but their language enjoys legal protection similar to that of minority languages (including school language, auxiliary language, and additional names).
In the law Silesians They are not listed as national or ethnic minorities, and the Silesian language is not included in the list of regional languages – despite the fact that a large group of residents declare Silesian citizenship in national censuses. This demonstrates that census declarations and legal status are two separate issues.
How do you determine whether a group is a national or ethnic minority?
One question is enough for the social studies exam: Is there a nation-state with which this group identifies?
- Yes → national minority (Germans – Germans, Lithuanians – Lithuania, Armenians – Armenia, Jews – Israel).
- No → ethnic minority (Gypsies, Karaites, Tatars, Lemkos).
- This group has its own language, but the law does not recognize it as a minority. → check if it is a regional language (Kashubian).
- The group consists of foreigners or recently arrived persons , → this is not a minority in the sense of this law.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between an ethnic minority and a national minority?
According to a 2005 Polish law, the only distinction is that a national minority identifies with a nation that has its own state, while an ethnic minority does not. The remaining conditions (language, culture, traditions, and the centenary of ancestral presence) are the same.
How many national minorities live in Poland?
The law lists nine national minorities: Belarusian, Czech, Lithuanian, German, Armenian, Russian, Slovak, Ukrainian and Jewish, as well as four ethnic minorities: Karaite, Lemko, Roma and Tatar.
Why are Roma an ethnic minority and not a national minority?
Since Roma do not identify with a nation organized within their own state, such a state does not exist. For the same reason, Karaites and Tatars are recognized as ethnic minorities.
Are Kashubians a minority?
No. Kashubians are not considered a national or ethnic minority by law, but their language, Kashubian, has the status of a regional language and enjoys protection similar to that of minority languages.
When can a municipality place bilingual signs?
Municipalities included in the register of municipalities maintained by the relevant minister may use additional names in the minority language. This requires a procedure involving the municipal council. These names cannot refer to names assigned between 1933 and 1945 by the Third Reich or the USSR.
See also
- What is the difference between a state and a nation?
- What is the difference between emigration and immigration?
- How is Great Britain different from England?
- What is the difference between a community and a society?