Foreigners staying in Poland experience numerous manifestations of discrimination and racism. In extreme cases they take the form of offences motivated by prejudice (e.g. insulting, beating). While these phenomena are becoming more frequent with the growing xenophobia of Polish society, the statistics do not reflect the whole picture of inequality. Newcomers rarely report to law enforcement authorities that they have fallen victim to crime and are even less likely to sue persons or companies that have committed unequal treatment against them before civil courts.
Stowarzyszenie Interwencji Prawnej provides legal support to people who are discriminated against in accessing goods, services or benefits, as well as to those who are victims of a crime. We also monitor criminal proceedings that raise the issue of racial prejudice. An important element of our efforts to combat discrimination is also participation in Poland’s reporting processes for international institutions.