Immigration Laws: September, 1996 - Number #11
Poland Drafting Refugee Bill
Poland is in the process of drafting a law on refugees, which the UNHCR
criticizes as too restrictive. The UNHCR worries that the bill will not
guarantee asylum seekers proper appeals, and may keep UNHCR from observing the
decision-making process.
Over 50 percent of the foreigners currently seeking refugee status in
Poland have been returned from Germany to Poland under the terms of the
bilateral agreement on readmission. Between January and mid-July, 1996, the
Polish government received over 800 applications for refugee status, many from
citizens of Sri Lanka, Armenia, Afghanistan, India and Iraq. In 1995, 106
foreigners were granted refugee status in Poland.
Over 5,000 foreigners were studying at Polish colleges and universities in
1995-96. Many of the students come from Russia, Bulgaria, Palestine, Syria and
the Yemen to study languages, social sciences, economics, biology and natural
sciences.
The Polish government has begun collecting a fixed fee from foreigners who
wish to buy property in Poland. The fee, about US $390, was previously one
percent of the property's value.
"Real estate purchase fee goes down," Polish New Bulletin, August 2, 1996.
"Foreigners to pay fee for application to buy property in Poland," BBC, August
8, 1996. "More and more foreigners study in Poland," PAP News Wire, August 3,
1996. "Poland Reluctant to Assist Refugees," Polish News Bulletin, July 26,
1996.
