David Berger, Polish Jewish attorney, a strict Sabbath observer, today filed suit against the Polish government for 600,000 zlotys (approximately $200,000) for having removed his name from the list of lawyers entitled to try cases, it was reported here today.
Mr. Berger was ousted after he refused to appear in court on Saturday. His claim for heavy damages against the Polish government is based on the minority treaty signed by Poland guaranteeing the preservation of Jewish religious rights. He asserts that practice of his religion caused the revocation of his license as lawyer and deprived him of all means of earning a livelihood. The case will be heard shortly before a Krakow court.
The suit by the Jewish attorney appears to be the first case on record in which an individual has taken action against the Polish authorities in a matter involving violation of the minorities treaty signed by Poland.
Coming as it does shortly after the sensational Polish attempt at Geneva to repudiate minority treaty obligations, a move which failed completely, the case is expected to attract an enormous amount of attention, both in Poland and abroad. It is believed here that the court decision in the case may have some bearing on Poland’s unilateral renunciation of the treaties.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
