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Reviewed by Robert A. Rothstein

Abstract

Poland officially recognizes nine “national minorities” (mniejszości narodowe) and four “ethnic minorities” (mniejszości etniczne). The thirteen groups specified in a January 2005 law share most of the characteristics that the legislation uses to define minorities: they are numerically minorities; they differ significantly from other citizens in language, culture or tradition; they strive to preserve their language, culture or tradition; they are aware of their own national (or ethnic) community (wspólnota) and are dedicated to expressing and protecting it; their ancestors have lived in the present territory of Poland for at least one hundred years. National minorities differ, however, from ethnic minorities in that the former are identical to a group (nationality) that has its own state, while the latter are not.