LGBTQI+ refugees in Poland face numerous systemic and legal obstacles and abuses, according to the latest study by the Migration Consortium, prepared in cooperation with Plan International Poland. The findings of the study can be found in the report: “Crossing double borders. LGBTQI+ displacement to Poland: persecution, discrimination and challenges in accessing humanitarian assistance“.
The report is based on 23 in-depth interviews with LGBTQI+ refugees and 18 interviews with legal experts, humanitarian actors, grassroots organisations, and international stakeholders. It reveals the inadequacy of the Polish international protection system to meet the needs of this particularly vulnerable group.
Polish asylum law does not consistently include SOGIESC as explicit grounds for persecution, leading to inconsistent interpretation and application in asylum adjudications. Inadequate asylum procedures, violence in reception centers, and insufficient access to psychological and legal services are just some of the barriers mentioned in the publication.
“I imagined Poland and Europe differently. I truly believed it would be better for people like us”, says one of the report’s protagonists.
There is also a lack of specialized legal support and training for border guards, officials, and reception center staff.
The report also highlights the important role of civil society and non-governmental organizations, which are often the only ones providing LGBTQI+ refugees with access to safe shelter, healthcare, and psychological support. However, as the authors emphasize, without systemic changes, their efforts will not be enough.
The main recommendations of the report include:
- Formally recognize LGBTQI+ asylum seekers and forced migrants as a vulnerable group under national and international law. Ensure their immediate and non-discriminatory access to essential services including medical, psychological, and legal support, as well as safe and appropriate short, medium and long-term accommodation.
- Reform of asylum procedures, including mandatory, comprehensive training for all officials and respectful, confidential handling of disclosures related to sexual orientation and gender identity
- Strengthening cooperation between public administration and civil society organizations.
- Implementation of independent mechanisms to monitor the treatment of LGBTQI+ refugees.
