Poland does not inform Belarus about names of political refugees

Belarusian security agencies will not find out what Belarusian citizens are political refugees in Poland. The information is not presented even to Poland’s colleagues in the European Union. A representative of the bureau of the UN High Commissioner to Poland responsible for refugees’ affairs Maria Pamula has informed an ERB reporter about it.

Maria Pamula: “The reason why a person got the status of a political refugee is never mentioned in documents. The decision is positive and that’s it. It is caused by security issues: if somebody goes to the West and shows this decision, it is not necessary for everyone to know the reason for getting the status”.
The UN representative says that it is possible to find out the reasons that made Belarusian citizens ask for political refuge in the Bureau for Foreigners’ Affairs. However, nobody will comment on certain people unless they agree to present the information to somebody.
Even Polish security agencies’ access to the information may be restricted, claims Ms. Pamula.

Maria Pamula: “An exception may be made for Polish foreign intelligence service as it may check if the person is a wanted terrorist. However, no foreign services of other states have access to refugees’ personal files”.

By the way 14 Belarusians got the status of political refugees in 2008 and 20 – in 2009. 48 citizens of our country applied for the status of refugees last year.