NGO Partners: Poland

Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights provides free legal assistance to refugees and aliens in Poland. It is engaged in the Söderköping process as a member of its network of experts.

Helsinki Foundation has been providing legal assistance to aliens, mostly asylum seekers, since 1992. In 2003, Helsinki Foundation lawyers prepared over 700 legal documents for aliens, however the total number of assisted persons was considerably higher. The assistance includes legal advice on application for refugee status, legalisation of stay, administrative, family, labour and penal law, family reunification as well as representation of cases that risk human rights violation.

The activities of Helsinki Foundation also comprise monitoring the deportation areas and reception centres, publication of a series of brochures and leaflets informing about the Polish law and procedures pertaining to foreigners and refugees, and participation in a legislative process.