Silesian pro-autonomy organizations are set to submit on Friday more than 124,000 signatures asking the Polish Parliament to officially recognize Silesians as a distinct ethnic group. This recognition is important because, as Nationalia explained in this January 2014 report, non-recognition of Silesian ethnicity prevents the registration of groups trying to engage in a Silesian nation-building project and hinders their work. In order that recognition be effective, it is needed that Polish MPs amend the Law on minorities, which currently lists Karaites, Lemkos, Roma and Tatars -but not Silesians- as Poland's ethnic groups. This is despite the fact that the nearly 850,000 people declared Silesian nationality in the 2011 census.

The number of signatures was announced on Saturday 12th as some 5,000 people walked the streets of Katowice during the eighth March for Autonomy, which had been called by the Silesian Autonomy Movement (RAS, Polish acronym) and other pro-autonomy groups. Protesters demanded, as in immediate goal, decentralization of Poland and an autonomous status to Upper Silesia, where RAS has its main electoral base. In the long run, RAS wants self-government for Lower Silesia too.

The march was also attended by former MEP and honorary member of the European Free Alliance (EFA) Bernat Joan, from Ibiza (Balearic Islands, Catalan Countries). According to EFA, Joan argued autonomy is a way to ensure a better future for the people of Silesia. Joan further noted that Poland should federalize itself and grant Silesians the power to govern themselves.

The March for Autonomy is held every year on the weekend closest to July 15th, the date on which a part of the Upper Silesian achieved self-government in 1920, within interwar Poland. Having Katowice as its capital city, the Silesian autonomous province had its own parliament, laws and tax agency.

Further information:

• Nationalia: Is Poland a potential patchwork of national and regional identities?