DEUTSCH
 

Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)

Since 2025, the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) has generously supported our work in Poland.  Our team supports refugees who have crossed the Poland–Belarus border — both at the border itself and in detention centres across the country. We also provide legal support to Ukrainian refugees in Warsaw, where the need remains high despite a reduction in available humanitarian assistance.

Objectives

Our project seeks to strengthen legal protection for refugees by:

  • Preventing pushbacks and ensuring access to the asylum procedure at the Poland–Belarus border.

  • Providing expert legal support to refugees in detention and throughout their asylum process.

  • Raising awareness and increasing accountability for violations at the border.

  • Supporting refugees from Ukraine in Warsaw, focusing on families with complex legal situations.

  • Defending the rule of law by taking strategic cases to national courts and the European Court of Human Rights.

Swiss Support

This project is made possible through the support of the Swiss Rapid Response Fund, which enables us to respond quickly to evolving humanitarian and legal challenges. Switzerland’s contribution helps us deploy additional lawyers, expand our coverage across Poland, and ensure that the rights of refugees are upheld even in the most difficult circumstances.

Learn more about the Swiss Rapid Response Fund here

Activities and Achievements

Our legal teams are active across multiple locations in Poland, including the Belarus border region and Warsaw. With the support of the Swiss Rapid Response Fund, we will:

  • Provide legal assistance to thousands of refugees in 2025, including unaccompanied children.

  • Represent refugees in cases before the European Court of Human Rights.

  • Prevent unlawful deportations and supported individuals denied access to asylum.

  • Deliver legal aid to hundreds of refugees in detention centres nationwide.

  • Document and publicise human rights violations to strengthen international accountability.

We aim to provide legal assistance to at least 350 people each month, with a focus on women (45%) and children (35%) among our beneficiaries.

Context and Challenges

The border area continues to experience militarisation and restricted access for civil society, with a 60km exclusion zone introduced in June 2024. This has increased the danger for refugees and limited transparency and accountability. The recent suspension of the right to apply for asylum at the border — in force since March 2024 — represents a serious threat to asylum law in Poland and the EU. ELIL remains one of the few legal organisations permanently present at the border, providing critical protection to those affected.

Media and Resources

For photos and more information about our work in Poland, please click here.