Poland: Information on whether the government issues passports or other identification documents to Roma (Gypsies) and on the availability of government services to Roma
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 June 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | POL17331.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Poland: Information on whether the government issues passports or other identification documents to Roma (Gypsies) and on the availability of government services to Roma, 1 June 1994, POL17331.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abbda0.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
There is no information currently available to the DIRB to indicate whether or not the Polish government issues identity documents such as passports to Roma.
A March 1993 report indicates that Roma have access to Polish schools (Braham, 90). In 1993 there were also Romany-language classes taking place in schools in at least one province in the country (BBC Summary 18 Aug. 1993). In January 1994 the first Roma school, a primary school, was opened in the northwestern Polish town of Suwalki (PAP 29 Jan. 1994).
The relatively large proportion of Roma in Poland who are unemployed do not qualify for state health insurance, and therefore must pay for medical services (ibid., 93).
For more information on the Roma minority in Poland, please see the attachments.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 18 August 1993. "Over Fifty New National Minority Organizations Registered in Last Five Years." (NEXIS)
Braham, Mark. March 1993. The Untouchables: A Survey of the Roma People of Central and Eastern Europe. Geneva: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
PAP News Wire. 29 January 1994. "First School for Gipsy Children Officially Registered in Poland." (NEXIS)
Attachments
Braham, Mark. March 1993. The Untouchables: A Survey of the Roma People of Central and Eastern Europe. Geneva: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Federal Document Clearing House Congressional Testimony. 14 April 1994. "Testimony April 14, 1994: Andrezej Mirga President the Roma Association in Poland." (NEXIS)
PAP News Wire. 25 April 1994. "Polish Gipsies Invite Primate Glemp to Auschwitz Commemorations." (NEXIS)
. 29 January 1994. "First School for Gipsy Children Officially Registered in Poland." (NEXIS)
Sources consulted
Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS). Indexes.
Helsinki Watch. News From Helsinki Watch.
On-line search of media sources.
Oral sources.