A new report on the protection of national minorities in Poland published today, praises improvements in the integration of Roma in education, but points to a persistent climate of intolerance, racism and xenophobia in the country (see also the Polish version of the report).
Among the positive developments, the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) noted tangible progress in integrating Poland’s Roma community in the period 2014-2020, especially with regard education.
Cultural activities and national minorities media continue to receive funding, and the authorities support a wide range of institutions and projects preserving in particular the country’s Jewish heritage. The fact that respondents in the 2011 census could indicate two ethnic affiliations is strongly welcomed.
However, the legal framework protecting the rights of national minorities during the monitoring period has remained largely unchanged. No progress has been made on the repeated requests for the recognition of the Silesians as an ethnic minority or Silesian as a regional language, to the regret of the Advisory Committee.
Despite significant under-reporting, statistics show a clear upward trend in hate speech and hate-motivated incidents, with Muslims the most targeted group, together with the Jewish minority, Roma and, increasingly, Ukrainians. Under-reporting, distrust towards authorities, and the lack of effective investigation and prosecution of alleged hate crimes need to be urgently addressed.
Recommendations for immediate actions given to the Polish authorities include the adoption and implementation of the Roma Integration Programme for 2020 onwards, in order to combat anti-Gypsyism, expand the Roma school assistants programme and improve the housing situation of Roma.
The Advisory Committee further recommends the Polish authorities to promote understanding between the majority and the different minority groups in the country, based on the acceptance of the complexity of Poland’s history.
- Monitoring of Poland under the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
- Information on the monitoring on the Polish Ministry of Interior and Administration website (in Polish)
- Read press release - Poland: tangible improvements in integration of Roma observed, but increased intolerance against national minorities needs immediate response
