Refugees in Poland

Refugees in Poland are a relatively small group. Since 1989 the number of people applying for refugee status in Poland has risen from about 1,000 to 10,000 each year; about 1–2% of the applications are approved. The majority of applications are from citizens of the former Soviet Union (in particular, Chechnya and Ukraine).

History

Following World War II, Poland became a communist country, and was a major refugee destination. The communist government allowed refugees only from countries affected by "class struggle" (such as Greece, Chile or Vietnam).[1][2] It is estimated that the total number of refugees and asylum seekers who came to Poland in the period 1945–1989 was around 20,000–30,000 individuals.[2] Following the fall of communism in 1989, Poland became a more appealing destination following its liberalization and a transition towards capitalistic and democratic society.[1] UNHCR opened an office in Poland in 1992, following Poland's accession to the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol.[3] Among others, Poland became one of the destinations of refugees from former Soviet Union (in particular, Chechnya), Yugoslavia and Afghanistan.[1] The number of refugees coming to Poland was still tiny compared to that coming to Western European countries; around 1,500 each year in the early 1990s.[2] That number roughly doubled by late 1990s, and Polish government passed new laws as part of preparation for Poland's accession to the European Union.[2] By early 2000s the number of people applying for refugee and asylum in Poland rose to 7,000. From 2010 the number has been oscillating at around 6–7,000 to 15,000: 10,000 in 2010 and 2012, 15,000 in 2013, 6,500 in 2014 and 12,000 in 2015.[2][3]

Only about 1–2% of the applications are approved.[1] In 2012 Refugee status was granted to 106, while 477 received complementary protection.[3] In 2013 208 people received the refugee status, and 550 or complementary protection or "tolerated stay" category.[2] About 85% of the individuals who apply for refugee status or asylum leave Poland, travelling to Western Europe, before the Polish agency makes a ruling, leading to their request being cancelled.[4]

Demographics
Total applications for refugee status in Poland by nationality, 2009
Approved applications for refugee status in Poland by nationality, 2009

The largest refugee group in Poland are people from the former Soviet Union; each year since 2000 this group forms between 40–90% of the individuals applying for refugee in Poland; out of those, the largest group are the Chechens, who started applying for it at the start of the 21st century, following the Chechen Civil War.[5] It is estimated there may be about 20,000 Chechens in Poland as of mid-2010s.[5] The second largest group are the Ukrainians, who started applying for that status following the Ukrainian-Russian conflict; approximately 1,000 to 2,000 or more Ukrainians have been applying for the stay in Poland since the onset of that conflict.[5] Third largest group from that region applying for stay in Poland are people from Georgia.[5]

Since the start of the Syrian Civil War, between 100 and 300 Syrians have been applying for refugee status in Poland each year.[5]

Attitude towards refugees

Over the past few decades, many Poles emigrated abroad seeking better jobs. This has been cited as one of the reasons Poles in 2000s have held some of the most pro-immigration, pro-refugee and pro-asylum-seekers views in Europe.[1] This attitude started to change around 2015, following the onset of the European migrant crisis.[1] Polish governments have not been supportive of the EU plans to distribute refugees throughout Europe, including Poland.[1] Attitudes towards refugees have worsened.[1] A nationwide poll from December 2016 showed that 52% do not wish for any refugees to arrive in Poland, 40% approve only of temporary resettlement, and only 4% approve of permanent resettlement. More Polish people were favorable of refugees from Ukraine than from Middle East.[6]

References
  1. Bart Bachman (June 16, 2016). "Diminishing Solidarity: Polish Attitudes toward the European Migration and Refugee Crisis". Migration Policy Institute.
  2. "Historia" (in Polish). uchodzcy.info. Retrieved 2017-02-09.
  3. "Poland | Operations in Poland". Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Archived from the original on 2017-02-11. Retrieved 2017-02-09.
  4. "Fala uchodźców? Statystyki studzą emocje". Polskatimes.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2017-02-09.
  5. "Główne kraje pochodzenia" (in Polish). uchodzcy.info. Retrieved 2017-02-09.
  6. "Majority of Poles do not want refugees in Poland: poll". Polskie Radio dla Zagranicy. Retrieved 2017-02-09.

Further reading
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