The current EU migration and asylum policy crisis has been perceived to constitute one of the most serious challenges for European security. The attitude of fear and reluctance towards admission of cultural others (including: refugees, asylum seekers and the immigrants) has been particularly visible in the V4 countries. The aim of this paper is therefore to examine the grounds of such a position with reference to general European tendencies as well as specific features of attitudes of Poland and Slovakia as the representatives of V4 countries in the light of their particular economic and social situation. Due to volume limitations the author will focus mainly on the two presented States. The decision regarding choice of Poland arises from the fact that as the only V4 State it has voted in favour of the mandatory quota of relocation of 120.000 refugees. Instead Slovakia constitutes the most vivid example pro-European parties changing rhetoric for more national which is quite transparent for the V4 countries. The whole analysis has been conducted in the specific context of relocation of the symbolic division of Europe an replacement of ideological Iron Curtain with cultural Velvet Curtain which leads to the phenomenon of culturalisation. 

Polityka migracyjna Niemiec, Włoch i Węgier to przykład trzech różnych koncepcji, które są uzależnione w dużym stopniu od wizji rządów sprawujących władzę w tych państwach. Im bardziej liberalne i demokratyczne rządy, tym bardziej otwarte społeczeństwa i tym większa wrażliwość na potrzeby migrantów. Większe także poczucie solidarności z innymi państwami wewnątrz Unii Europejskiej, które kryzys uchodźczy dotyka najbardziej. Do Wspólnoty należą jednak państwa o różnym poziomie demokracji, również takie które niechętnie patrzą na obcych, a ich działania skupiają się przede wszystkim na ochronie własnych granic. Pomimo wielu różnic w bieżących rozwiązaniach cennym osiągnięciem trwającego dwa lata kryzysu uchodźczego jest zgoda wszystkich państw co do konieczności eliminowania przyczyn migracji poza Europą i ściślejsza współpraca w zakresie ochrony granic terytorium Unii Europejskiej.

Characteristics of Polish Migration Policy in the Context of the European Refugee Crisis

Migration policy, which until recently was absent in public space, has found its place in public debate and scientific research in recent years. Undoubtedly, the migration policy gained in popularity in 2015, when migrants began to migrate to Europe on a massive scale and the situation of their uncontrolled influx was described as a migration crisis. Although migration is a common phenomenon and has been known for years, increased migratory movements require countries to pursue a well-considered and consistent policy in this area. The situation in Europe has prompted reflection on Polish policy towards foreigners, which at that time, was different from European standards.

In mid-October 2019, the European Commission presented a report on the implementation of European Agenda on Migration of 2015 and indicated the areas that require further action mainly related to irregular migration, smuggling of migrants and trafficking. The EC emphasized that only by joining forces of all member states the European Union will be able to fight effectively and humanely with these problems. Irregular migration has become one of the EU most important problems since the 1990s, and the growing number of irregular migrants evoked the feeling that a single state is unable to control people arriving on its territory. The Europeans are terrified of the scale of migration. Conflicts and antagonisms between the local population and the rapidly growing number of migrants have begun to increase. The research goal of the article is to analyze the implementation of the 2015 European Agenda on Migration.

The purpose of the research was to investigate the scale of crime by foreign nationals in Switzerland in the context of the effectiveness of the assumptions of the migration policy of that state in the area of security. Materials and methods: The research uses literature sources and statistical data on the crime of foreign nationals in Switzerland and its migration policy. The author used qualitative research methods, including the query of literature and strategic documents (using the content analysis technique) and the analysis of statistical data (using the desk research technique). Results: In the context of the three analysed factors, the following trends can be observed: steadily declining crime in Switzerland; the relatively constant level of crime by foreign nationals, especially since 2018; constant, although relatively mildly growing, percentage of foreign nationals’ crime in the overall crime scale. Conclusions: In the context of the assessment of the effectiveness of the implementation of the assumptions of Switzerland’s migration policy in the area of security, it should be noted that the relatively constant level of the crime rate of foreign nationals, despite their constantly growing population, proves the optimality of these assumptions and their highly effective implementation.

The analysis aims to reconstruct, explain and evaluate the position of the Polish government on the essential elements of the EU migration and asylum policy proposed by the European Commission in the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. Thus, the article discusses the potential priorities and objectives of the EU migration and asylum policy from the point of view of the Polish government, articulated both during the ongoing work on the EC document (2018–2020) and after its publication in September 2020. However, the article is not intended to present the Polish government’s position on the particular, detailed solutions contained in the legislative proposals of the EC due to the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. Although, it allows identifying what the Polish side considers desirable, tolerable and acceptable, and what is utterly unacceptable in terms of the proposed changes to EU migration and asylum policy. Therefore, the main priorities of the Polish government regarding the reformed policy are indicated and explained. The first two concern counteracting irregular immigration by enhancing the protection of external borders and intensifying cooperation with third countries (in particular as concerns readmissions and returns), which means approving the postulates of the EC. At the same time, the third priority opposes the EC’s proposal addressing asylum issues.

Institutions of international protection for foreigners in Poland – political and legal solutions

Forced migration is a phenomenon affecting various parts of the world. Throughout history, people have been forced to leave their own country due to wars, conflicts, persecution and poverty in search of safety and livelihood. The events of recent years that Poland has been experiencing (including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Poland-Belarus border crisis, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the earlier migration crisis of 2015/2016) have led to changes in the pattern of migration, migration policy, as well as law in this regard. Poland is becoming a destination for an increasing number of refugees. Crises have put to the test Poland’s current migration and refugee policy. It has become apparent that the existing institutional and legal solutions are insufficient. In addition, it is not easy to cooperate and present a united front on the European Union forum in the face of potential threats resulting from successive migration waves. The purpose of this article is to present the institutions dealing with international protection of foreigners in Poland, describe their scope of competence, as well as discuss the need for new solutions. An aspect of particular importance is the ability to correctly identify a given situation and needs in order to grant (or refuse) a specific form of protection accordingly. 

Migrations of Poles to Sweden after the Polish accession to the European Union in 2004

Human migration should be considered as one of the fundamental values of cultural and civilization life, which is creating a new social reality. In the European Union there are different attitudes towards migration: on one hand – professing the principle of free human movement and on the other hand – making restrictions on immigrants. Sweden stands out from other European countries because of friendliness for immigrants. In this country, the migration and integration policy is based on the principles of equality, solidarity, cooperation and consensus. Number of Poles in Sweden is the third largest number of foreigners and it is still increasing, especially after accession of Poland to the European Union. Gainful employment is the main objective of Polish citizens migrating to Sweden. The country is also being selected by young people as a place, where everyone could gain an education, especially higher education. Keywords: international migration, migration policy, integration policy, Sweden multiculturalism, Polish migrants in Sweden

The statutory right of a deputy to submit interpellations is provided for in the Rules of Procedure of the Polish Parliament as well as in the Act on the Exercise of the Mandate of a Depute and Senator. The aim of the paper is to analyse Poland’s migration policy in 2019–2023 in the context of interpellations submitted by MPs. In substance, they covered three areas of migration policy: the creeping refugee crisis in the EU and its consequences for Poland, the conflict on the external border of the European Union, which is the Polish-Belarusian border, and Russian aggression against Ukraine and the resulting mass presence of Ukrainians as war refugees in Poland. The analysis showed that in the period in question, Poland does not have a comprehensive migration strategy. In situations of inflow of large numbers of foreigners, decisions of the Polish government are made ad hoc and confirm the thesis that the PiS government is unable to cope with new migration challenges. The source basis of the analysis are interpellations submitted by MPs from the West Pomeranian Province addressed to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration and the Minister of Education and Science. They are supplemented by laws and extensive literature on the subject.

Muslim Women Australia’s Activities Regarding Immigrants

Since 1983, Muslim Women Australia has been committed to promoting gender equality, education, and raising social awareness among Muslim women. The article attempts to indicate the role of this organization in the process of integration and support of Muslim immigrant women in the multicultural society of Australia, taking into account the challenges resulting from their double marginalization due to gender and religion. Political science analysis methods, including literature review and case studies, are employed to present the organization’s activist endeavors. Key areas of activity include combating domestic violence, providing adaptive support, social education, as well as legal and financial assistance, thereby strengthening the position of Muslim women within Australia’s socio-political structure.