Goals and tasks
To the main tasks of the Institute belong:
> gathering and managing of the records of former state security bodies, produced from 22nd July 1944 to 31st July 1990,
> investigation of the Nazi and Communist crimes, i.a. crimes perpetrated on persons of Polish nationality or Polish citizens of other nationalities from 8th November 1917 to 31st July 1990,
> academic research concerning Polish recent history,
> public education,
> search for places of burial of persons fallen in the fights for Polish independence and reunification of the Polish state, fallen in the fight against the totalitarian regimes or killed as a result of totalitarian repressions and ethnic cleansing from 8th November 1917 to 31th July 1990,
> commemoration of the historical events, places and personalities key to the history of struggles and martyrdom of Polish nation home and abroad, and the places of struggles and martyrdom of other nations in the territory of Republic of Poland from 8th November 1917 to 31st july 1990.
> providing access to the records gathered in the archives of the security services of Polish People's Republic to the persons affected.
The IPN Archives as a central unit responsible for archival inquiries and research provides basic information and material for all substantial activities of the Institute and its other relevant units. The IPN Archives also run some research, education and popularisation projects on its own.