Proposals to improve legalization procedures for Belarusians in Poland have been submitted to key Polish government authorities

In Warsaw, at the Museum of Free Belarus, an Expert Seminar titled "Polish–Belarusian Dialogue on Solidarity" was held, dedicated to the history of support and the challenges of legalization for Belarusians in Poland.

The Expert Seminar was organized by the National Anti-Crisis Management (NAM) in cooperation with the United Transitional Cabinet and the Coordination Council.

Participants in the Polish–Belarusian dialogue included the Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet and Head of NAM Pavel Latushka; the UTC Representative for Social Policy Olga Zazulinskaya; Coordination Council Speaker Artsiom Brukhan; representative of the initiative supporting free political prisoners of Belarus "Volnye" Veronika Stankevich; Head of the Belarusian Solidarity Center Olga Dobrovolskaya; NAM lawyer and Head of the Legal Commission of the Coordination Council Mikhail Kirilyuk; lawyer and Coordination Council delegate Ales Mikhalevich; Head of the Legal Department of REFORUM.HELP Olena Yurkina; representatives of the Mieroszewski Centre and the Association of Legal Intervention, as well as other experts and representatives of organizations.

During the seminar, experts noted that it has become more difficult for Belarusians in Poland to obtain legal status and access assistance compared to 2020–2021. This has created the need to analyze existing practices and consider possible changes.

As a result of the Expert Seminar, which brought together more than 10 experts and practicing lawyers, a list of proposals was developed for Polish state institutions. Their goal is to improve procedures related to legalization and access to assistance for Belarusians in Poland across five key areas. The formulated proposals will be submitted to key Polish government authorities:

1. Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF):Amendments to procedures for opening, freezing, and closing bank accounts for Belarusians.

2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs:Issues related to the practice of issuing humanitarian visas.

3. Office for Foreigners (Ministry of the Interior):Improvement of procedures for reviewing applications for residence permits and the Polish foreigner’s document; attention to the humanitarian aspect when applying the Dublin Regulation.

4. Ministry of Education:Issues of diploma recognition.

5. Border Guard:Recommendations regarding the practice of enforcing decisions on the transfer of individuals to the country of entry under the Dublin Regulation during the appeal period.

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