Wladyslaw Bartoszewski

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Poland

Wladyslaw Bartoszewski has dedicated his life to the fight for freedom.

A member of the Polish resistance during World War II, he was imprisoned in Auschwitz Concentration Camp from 1940-1941. Falsely accused of spying by the communists, he was imprisoned again from 1946-1948 and from 1949-1954. Rehabilitated in 1955, he worked as a journalist in Poland, including cooperation with Radio Free Europe, and taught modern history at Catholic University of Lublin. During the period of martial law in Poland (1981-1983) he was imprisoned yet again.

In 1990 Ambassador Bartoszewski began a distinguished career of public service as ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Austria, Senator in the Polish Parliament, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland.

He continues his work of behalf of victims of wars and persecutions, which has earned him numerous honors including the German Great Cross of the Order of Merit for his contribution towards the reconciliation of Germans, Poles, and Jews. He was one of the first Poles to receive the Righteous Among the Nations medal, and, in 1991, he was granted honorary Israeli citizenship.