Since June 2024, Poland has been shaken by an unprecedented wave of xenophobia, sparked by a tragic incident and fueled by viral rumors, radical political rhetoric, and coordinated protests.
The violent death of a young Polish woman in Torun has triggered a series of alarming events, revealing a society increasingly receptive to far-right ideologies.
A Shocking Crime Sparks Outrage
On June 6, a 24-year-old woman named Klaudia was fatally stabbed in broad daylight in a park in the city of Torun, in northern Poland. The attacker was a Venezuelan national. The tragedy deeply shocked public opinion and served as a catalyst for anger directed at migrant communities.
By July 6, thousands joined a silent march organized by the far-right Konfederacja party, carrying signs that read “Stop illegal immigration.” In the days that followed, conspiracy theories and false rumors spread across social media—such as a fabricated alert about a Paraguayan man allegedly photographing children at a playground in Walbrzych.
Although police found no incriminating evidence on his phone, the man was violently assaulted. The next day, a group of around 50 people attacked the shelter where he and other migrants lived, throwing Molotov cocktails and forcing its closure.
Unfiltered Political Discourse
The toxic climate has been exacerbated by inflammatory political statements. Konrad Berkowicz, an MP from Konfederacja, stated on air: “Xenophobia is an essential element of our national unity,” adding that repressing it, as in Western Europe, would lead to chaos.
For Elmi Abdi, a Somali refugee who has lived in Poland since 1996, the situation is alarming: “Migrants are being blamed for everything wrong in the country.”
Abdi, president of the “Good Introduction” foundation, supports newcomers through language classes and legal assistance. But in light of rising violence, he shared his concerns: “We pay our taxes, we live peacefully, but we’ve become scapegoats.”
Protests and Militia Groups on the Rise
On July 19, anti-migrant demonstrations were held in 80 cities and towns across Poland, often organized with the involvement of football supporter groups. In Kraków, 16-year-old Nikola, who had traveled 125 km from Gorlice, explained her participation: “I want to feel safe in my city,” citing alarming videos she had seen on YouTube.
Some groups even began patrolling the borders with Germany and Lithuania independently, conducting so-called “citizen arrests.” No significant results were reported. This phenomenon comes after Poland reinstated border controls in early July, mirroring similar moves by Berlin.
Disinformation Behind the Scenes
According to Agnieszka Kosowicz, president of the Polish Migration Forum, the current atmosphere resembles the pogroms of Eastern Europe: “What defines this period is the escalation of violence—people are being insulted, threatened, attacked, and the state is not responding firmly enough.”
Official data contradicts the alarmist narratives. In 2023, only 2.2% of Poland’s population was foreign-born, according to the OECD—among the lowest in Europe (compared to 15.4% in the UK, 18.2% in Germany, and 13.8% in France).
As for deportations from Germany to Poland, fewer than 700 individuals were affected in 2024—a marginal number.
The Political Weaponization of Fear
Data on illegal border crossings from Belarus also paints a less dramatic picture: from January to June 2024, only 5% of the 15,022 attempts were successful.
In 2021, before the construction of the border wall, attempts had peaked at 52,000. Still, in March of this year, Warsaw suspended the right to seek asylum at the border—a drastic measure showing the extent of political tension.
A joint study by Deloitte and the UNHCR found that 2.7% of Poland’s GDP is generated by Ukrainian refugees—yet this figure is largely ignored in political discourse.
The Fear of Well-Integrated Families
Elmi Abdi, now married to a Polish woman and father of two, expressed his growing fears: “When I arrived, I was welcomed warmly. But today, my children hear people shouting that they want a white Poland.”
He concluded solemnly: “I’m not afraid for myself. I’m afraid for them.”
As Poland heads into its next electoral cycle, migration could become a central issue. In such a tense atmosphere, the role of authorities and the media will be crucial in ensuring that baseless fears do not turn into lasting violence.
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