Poland
The number of asylum claims in Poland increased dramatically between 2001 and 2003, but has since stabilised. An overwhelming majority of asylum seekers come from the Russian Federation, and those granted refugee status are almost exclusively of Chechen origin. Recently applications from asylum seekers from Ukraine and Belarus have increased.
Ahmed
Ahmed arrived in Poland in 1986 to study, but applied for asylum ten years later, following the outbreak of the civil war in Sudan. With no access to legal advice he did not realise he could appeal the rejection of his asylum claim.
Ali
Ali is a qualified engineer from Chechnya who fled to Poland with his family in 2003. He was granted tolerated status, but feels insecure and alienated from Polish society.
Roza
Roza fled the Chechen-Russian conflict and was granted refugee status in Poland. In spite of the anxious period she spent appealing the rejection of her asylum claim, she was determined to integrate into Polish society and now works as a doctor at a local school. 
