Poland: Possible treatment, now that Solidarity activities have been legalized, of a repatriated Polish citizen who left Poland last March, and has been publicly identified as a Solidarity activist
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 May 1989 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | POL1049 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Poland: Possible treatment, now that Solidarity activities have been legalized, of a repatriated Polish citizen who left Poland last March, and has been publicly identified as a Solidarity activist, 1 May 1989, POL1049, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6acc438.html [accessed 7 June 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. |
The U.S. Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1988 notes that during 1988, prominent opposition activists were allowed to travel to the West and return without major harassment. However, the same source also points out that activists who are less well known continue to have difficulties in this area. Also according to the Department of State, many Polish emigres who previously refused to return to visit families, for fear of reprisals, did so during 1988 without incident. In December 1988, Solidarity leader Lech Walesa was given a passport and permitted to travel to the West for the first time in seven years. ["Walesa allowed to leave Poland", The Ottawa Citizen, 6 December 1988, no page given.]
A spokesperson for the Ottawa Polish Community adds that it is difficult to comment on this particular question without knowing the following: The person's profession; the method and/or purpose of the original exit from Poland; and possible statements and/or activities while the person was resident in Canada. Regarding the general situation of Solidarity activists, the spokesperson states that many of them have come out of hiding to participate in the elections but some still remain in hiding, fearing action by the authorities. This information could not be corroborated by the IRBDC. Despite incidences of bugging carried out against a Solidarity office, the formerly banned union appears to be unhampered by the authorities in its election campaign. ["Finding of bugging device dubbed Polish "Watergate"", The Ottawa Citizen 11 May 1989, p. A12; and J.B. de Weydenthal, "A New Beginning in Poland", in "Situation Report - Poland", Radio Free Europe Research, 7 April 1989, p. 4.]
ATTACHMENTS
U.S. Department of State. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1988. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1989, 1154-55.
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