1)What is the current relationship between "Fighting Solidarity" and the Polish Government (both Solidarity and the Communist Party, separately and together?)2)Is "Fighting Solidarity" a legal organization today?Are they experiencing any human rights abuses 3)Information request #POL2611. [POL4076]

1) 2) According to Roman Stefanowski, Section Chief at the Polish Department of Radio Free Europe, located in Munich, political groups previously functioning unofficially or even clandestinely are now pursuing their activities openly, without any interference from the state or the police. [ Letter from Roman Stefanowski, Section Chief, RFE Polish Section to Sharon Rusu, Chief of Research, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Documentation Centre, 13 November 1989.] A representative of the Canadian Polish Congress, who was contacted in late December, stated that Fighting Solidarity is not banned although it is not legally recognized. At the present time this may impede or make difficult the organization's access to print shops and present other difficulties in its functioning which could result in charges of discrimination. The IRBDC cannot corroborate this information in published sources at the present time. It should be noted, however, that the new government of Poland is reviewing the present statutes of the country and will most likely carry out a reform of the legislation governing the establishment of political parties. Consequently the status of unofficial groups remains uncertain.

For the reasons given above, the IRBDC cannot find publicly available information on the relationship between Fighting Solidarity and the Polish Government at this time.

3) Information request #POL2611 is attached as requested.