Poland
Due to my personal background, I have long been alarmed by the humanitarian crisis caused by my country’s policy of pushbacks of asylum seekers at the Polish-Belarussian border. The Pegasus Trust’s focus on the benefit of international perspectives and forging links between lawyers around the world was perfectly aligned with my commitment to international human rights. My personal experience as a Black Polish migrant in the UK inspired my long-term interest in this area of law, with a particular focus on the rights of asylum seekers. This unique perspective influenced both my interest as well as my commitment to approaching the law from an intersectional perspective.
I am incredibly grateful to Stowarzyszenie Interwencji Prawnej (the Association for Legal Intervention) for agreeing to host my placement as a Volunteer Lawyer last autumn. Undertaking a placement in Warsaw presented me with the rare opportunity to combine my longstanding passion for assisting asylum seekers, with my Polish background. The Association for Legal Intervention (ALI) provides free legal and integration assistance to refugees and migrants in Poland. Where necessary, its lawyers represent asylums seekers and migrants before Polish courts and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). ALI’s support of asylum seekers includes both those already present in Poland, and those stranded on the Polish-Belarusian border.
The Association’s lawyers and Caseworkers are renowned for their dedication and their groundbreaking work, protecting universal human rights. For example, ALI’s Małgorzata Jaźwińska recently lead the legal team in R.A. and Others v. Poland before the ECtHR Grand Chamber, representing 32 Afghan nationals who were stranded in the Polish border-zone in August 2021.
Joining the inspiring team at ALI presented me with the unique opportunity to not only familiarise myself with the operation of asylum procedures in another jurisdiction, but to also assist its clients in accessing regional forms of protecting human rights. During my 2025 Pegasus placement in Warsaw, I had the opportunity to assist ALI with:
- providing legal assistance to refugees and migrants in Poland;
- challenging pushbacks at the Polish-Belarusian border;
- applications for interim measures before the ECtHR;
- drafting official submissions to the European Commission;
- drafting and reviewing submissions related to the execution of ECtHR judgments; and
- legal research concerning EU law, ECtHR case law, and international human rights law.
My time in Poland also exposed me to other aspects of the asylum procedure in an EU Member State. For example, I had the opportunity to accompany one of ALI’s clients to their asylum interview at Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców (Office of Foreigner Affairs).
Overall, my placement at ALI enabled me to become involved in complex and impactful work beyond my year of call. I had the chance to offer practical assistance to my colleagues in their ongoing cases by carrying out research and drafting. My placement exposed me to proceedings before the ECtHR, which I would otherwise be unlikely to experience for many years to come. I understand from my supervisors at ALI, that even after my departure, my work product was used in further applications for interim measures before the ECtHR. I am incredibly proud to have been able to build on my experience to assist this inspiring organisation in safeguarding the rights of vulnerable victims.
Another equally important aspect of the Pegasus placement was the cultural exchange itself. Immersing myself in Warsaw’s tumultuous history, even as a Pole, was a fascinating and sobering experience. During my first week in Warsaw, the country was rocked by reports of Russian military drones entering Polish air space. The reality and proximity of this war was impossible to escape. It also made me reflect about the duality of Poland – a country initially so willing to open its borders and homes to (native) Ukrainians fleeing war, but adamant about pushing back, criminalising, and vilifying asylum seekers from other countries, fleeing equally brutal wars, or persecution.
In spite of these contradictions, I was pleasantly surprised by how multicultural Warsaw has become. I felt truly at ease throughout my stay in the capital, without the scrutiny I usually experience as a Black woman in Poland. It was gratifying to reacquaint myself with my home country and its curious mix of modernity and tradition.
This experience felt incredibly timely: once again, the world stands on a precipice. The international law order introduced in response to these atrocities, is currently under unprecedented challenge. We are witnessing the increasingly rapid deterioration of adherence to the basic principles of international law, at a time when the commission of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity is once again met with impunity. At a time when those fleeing persecution, war and extermination have no safe way of reaching sanctuary.
Growing up in Poland, there was naturally a significant focus on learning about the history of World War II. This was probably one of the initial catalysts for my interest in human rights. I spent many years internalising “Never Again” as a foundational concept. My Pegasus placement reminded me that these words can only hold meaning if we all hold those in power accountable. Laudable ideals alone cannot protect anyone whose very humanity is being put into question. The defence of the universality of human rights is incumbent on all of us. I am immensely grateful for this reminder.
Perhaps pulling up the drawbridge and attempting to maintain the illusion that European countries can exist unaffected by the policies they support, is not the best way forward?
By Brenda Efurhievwe
Goldsmith Chambers