Poland: Implementation and effectiveness of the Blue Card System (August 2003 - August 2004)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 4 August 2004 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | POL42815.E |
| Reference | 7 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Poland: Implementation and effectiveness of the Blue Card System (August 2003 - August 2004), 4 August 2004, POL42815.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/41501c4f2a.html [accessed 4 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. |
Information on the implementation and effectiveness of the Blue Card System in Poland was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
The Blue Card System was introduced in Poland by the government in 1998 to "standardize the procedure for police interaction with families experiencing domestic violence" (Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights July 2002, 24). The aims of the system are to identify the existence of alcohol-related and domestic violence problems within a family as well as to collect data, to generate a plan of assistance to affected family members, and to monitor the family situation (Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Warsaw 26 July 2004).
The Blue Card System is a record-keeping system that is used by law enforcement and social service personnel in domestic violence interventions (Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Warsaw 26 July 2004), and is comprised of four cards entitled A, B, C and D (Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights July 2002, 24). The first two cards constitute a record of the incident, and include a report of the police intervention (Card A) and the police notes that were made at the time of the intervention (Card B) (ibid.). Card C is a local directory of centres and programs that offer assistance (ibid.). Police officers are required by law to provide Card C to the victim at the time of intervention (ibid). Under the Blue Card System, the law also requires police officers to
... contact local "Social Service Centres" and consult with social workers. Together, the officers and social workers track whether the victims have contacted any support agencies, determine a date for a joint visit to the family residence, and develop a "help plan" for the family (ibid.).
Card D is entitled "'Request for Help'" and is provided to the victim, who has the option of signing and returning it to the responding officer (ibid.).
In correspondence with the Research Directorate, the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, in Warsaw, provided the following information:
The [Blue Card] system has been introduced by the Police in the whole territory of Poland. Police officers are legally responsible to use 'blue card[s]' in all cases of domestic interventions. The provisions of the new Act on Social Assistance require also social assistance workers to use [the] 'blue card' system. The government is planning to introduce [the] 'blue card' into the practice of other bodies dealing with domestic violence problems, particularly local commissions for the prevention of alcohol- related problems. Police officers generally use [the] 'blue card' in practice, although some officers, particularly in smaller communities, are still reluctant [to use] the system. [The] 'Blue card' [has] improved protection against domestic violence in Poland (26 July 2004).
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2003 reported that the Blue Card System "had limited effect due to inadequate funding" (25 Feb. 2004, Sec. 5).
According to the State Agency for the Prevention of Alcohol Related Problems (PARPA), police interventions in domestic-related incidents increased from 376,538 in 1999 to 559,387 in 2002 (2003). The number of domestic violence interventions, which are included in the aforementioned figures, increased from 72,031 in 1999 to 96,449 in 2002 (PARPA 2003). The number of crimes registered under the Blue Card System increased from 10,150 in 1999 to 13,460 in 2003 (Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights 26 July 2004).
Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2003. 25 February 2004. United States Department of State. Washington, D.C. Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights. 26 July 2004. Correspondence received from a representative.
Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights/Women's Rights Center/International Women's Human Rights Clinic. July 2002. Domestic Violence in Poland. The State Agency for the Prevention of Alcohol Related Problems (PARPA). 2003. "Niebieska Karta." Additional Sources Consulted
The Embassy of the Republic of Poland, in Ottawa, did not respond to a letter requesting information.
The Federation for Women and Family Planning, in Warsaw, did not respond to a letter requesting information.
The Women's Rights Center, in Warsaw, did not respond to a letter requesting information.
Internet sites, including: Amnesty International (AI), BBC, Dialog/WNC, European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI), Freedom in the World 2003, Google, Human Rights Watch (HRW), International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights, Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women, Warsaw Voice, The Women's Rights Centre (Warsaw).
