On  4 and 5  February, the Council of Europe Division on Migration and Refugees (DMR) carried out a mission to Poland. The visit focused on the reception and integration of Ukrainian war-displaced persons in the country, currently numbering approximately one million, making Poland the second-largest host of Ukrainians under temporary protection. The mission also tackled issues concerning the identification and protection of particularly vulnerable migrants and asylum seekers, and the challenging situation of migratory movements at the eastern border.

The country mission provided the DMR delegation with the opportunity to collect and analyse information and exchange views with a number of national and international stakeholders on the development and planned measures regarding the above-mentioned issues. Discussions also addressed legislative changes under way foreseeing the transitioning of Ukrainian displaced persons from temporary protection to long-term immigration statuses and measures to enhance integration of migrants, in line with Poland’s migration strategy 2025-2030, notably through the establishment of migrant integration offices in various regions. During the mission the DMR delegation also visited the Lesznowola  migrant detention centre, with a capacity of around 200 persons, which has a special section hosting  families with children.

Meetings were held with representatives of the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour, Border Guard, and  Commissioner of Human Rights. Useful exchanges also took place with several representatives of civil society organisations, as well as with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organisation for Migration in Warsaw.