Poles in Kazakhstan: Repatriation Pace and The Wider Polish Diaspora
The repatriation of Poles from Kazakhstan remains incomplete, with roughly 7,000 individuals who wish to return to Poland still waiting. Aiming to accelerate this process, officials acknowledge it as a key challenge through the end of President Andrzej Duda’s term. In a conversation aired by Polish Radio, Presidential Minister Andrzej Dera addressed questions about the progress of these repatriation efforts.
“It is not finished yet. At the moment, about 7,000 Poles want to come home to Poland”, Dera stated. He noted that in recent years the overall procedure and the transfer of Poles from Kazakhstan has gained momentum, driven by ongoing conceptual and legal work at the highest levels of government to facilitate larger-scale returns.
He emphasized that the President’s Chancellery is actively pursuing ways to ensure that as many Poles as possible who express the wish to return are able to do so. The goal, he said, is for a substantial portion of these individuals to be brought back before the current presidency ends.
Beyond the Kazakh case, Dera mentioned ongoing efforts to speed up the process and expand the scope of returns to the homeland. Since 2002, May 2 has been recognized as the Day of the Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad, a national holiday established by the Sejm at the initiative of the Senate to honor those living outside Poland who fought for Polish independence and maintain their strong ties to the Republic. The Flag Day of the Republic of Poland, instituted in 2004, is also observed on May 2.
The most difficult situation in Belarus
When asked about Poland’s situation abroad, particularly in regions marked by conflict, Dera described challenges as especially severe. During a recent visit to Mościska, he met with a Polish school community, witnessing both the warmth of reception and the harsh realities faced by people living in a war-torn environment. He recalled a prior stop in Kamieniec Podolski in Ukraine, where visits are commonly associated with delivering gifts and support to Poland.
The minister pointed to Belarus as the harshest scenario among Polish communities overseas. He described the Lukashenko regime’s targeting of Poles as a highly suspicious national group, noting that Poles there face restrictions and repression as political prisoners. He stressed that while direct aid to Poles in Belarus is not feasible at the moment, the government is exploring alternative avenues to assist, whereas in other countries with fewer conflicts, Poles are faring better.
Poland’s standing on the world stage has grown, according to Dera, with Poles across the globe taking pride in their heritage. He attributed this momentum to domestic solidarity and the country’s support for the Ukrainian nation during difficult times. He observed that in prosperous places like the United States and Canada, there is a renewed sense of Polish identity and joy among the Polish diaspora.
He also touched on comparisons between the situation of Germans in Poland and Poles in Germany. While many Germans remained in what used to be known as the Reclaimed Territories after the war, Poles in Germany have evolved into a substantial, longstanding community. Dera underscored the importance of equal rights, especially access to education in Polish, so that children of Poles living abroad can learn Polish language, history, and culture within Polish schools. This, he argued, is essential for preserving cultural identity for those outside the country.
The discussion concluded with reflections on stereotypes surrounding Polish Americans in Poland and plans for honoring the Polish diaspora. Proposals include creating an Honorary Decoration for Meritorious Service to the Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad to recognize those who strengthen Polish identity from abroad.