German minority files discrimination charges against Poland

Poland's German minority has filed a complaint against Poland to the European Commission (EC) over a decree that cuts German language classes for minority children from three hours per week to one.

Bernard Gajda, head of the Union of German Socio-Cultural Associations in Poland, said on Wednesday that the decree, passed by Poland's education minister on February 4, was discriminative as it affected only the German minority and allowed other minorities to continue with three weekly classes in their native languages.

Gajda said the complaint in the matter was sent to the EC on April 4.

"We cannot agree to such discrimination, through which we have become second-class citizens," Gajda said.

According to the Associations' lawyers, the decree violates the Polish constitution and European law, which obliges Poland to protect its minority groups.