Warsaw – the capital of Poland – is a city marked by resilience and transformation. As a political and cultural centre, it’s also the heart of the country’s human rights movement. In recent years, Poland has become a battleground for fundamental freedoms, with fierce protests for reproductive rights and gender equality, the attack on LGBTQ+ people, and the efforts to protect refugees, arriving from Ukraine and those at the Belarusian border.
With these struggles on top of the country’s political agenda, the work of human rights organisations in Warsaw is of utmost importance. This is why we compiled this article highlighting some of the most notable human rights charities advocating for human rights, fighting for equality and demanding justice. Here are 11 human rights charities operating in Warsaw, Poland:
#1. Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH)
Operating since 1992, Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH) is one of Poland’s largest and most important humanitarian organisations. Dedicated to providing humanitarian aid in crisis-affected regions around the world, PAH helps ensure vulnerable populations’ human rights, delivering emergency relief, access to clean water, sanitation, food security, and education in conflict zones and areas hit by natural disasters.
While PAH operates globally, it also plays a significant role in Polish domestic humanitarian issues, assisting refugees, particularly those arriving from Ukraine and those stranded at the Belarus-Poland border. The organisation also provides direct aid such as shelter, food, and legal assistance to displaced individuals, while working to raise awareness about humanitarian crises through media and advocacy campaigns.
#2. Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights
The Helsinki Foundation of Human Rights (HFHR) is the oldest non-governmental organisation (NGO) working on the protection of human rights in Poland. The organisation provides legal assistance, conducts strategic litigation, and offers educational programs that support the civil society. HFHR is also known for its efforts to monitor and influence Poland’s legal framework, ensuring it aligns with international human rights standards.
With over three decades of experience, the foundation actively intervenes in precedent-setting legal cases, comments on legislation, and proposes amendments to better protect rights. It engages in advocacy by preparing reports for international bodies and meeting with foreign representatives. HFHR also helps shape public debate through educational materials, events, and collaborations with other NGOs.
#3. Amnesty International Poland
The Polish branch of the world-renowned organisation, Amnesty International is a key player in the country’s human rights scene. The organisation engages in a wide range of issues relevant in Poland and beyond, including freedom of expression, refugee rights and LGBTQ rights.
Amnesty International Poland has also been at the forefront of the reproductive rights struggle in Poland, which in recent years received significant attention from various human rights groups. Under the Law and Justice party, access to abortion has been curtailed even in life-threatening situations, putting pregnant people’s health, and even life, at risk. On top of advocating for reproductive rights, Amnesty has also supported activists, such as Justyna Wydrzynska, who in January 2025 was prosecuted for helping a woman seeking abortion by providing her with abortion pills. They have been campaigning for the reversal of her conviction, arguing that the case represents an attack on reproductive rights and freedom of conscience.
#4. Campaign Against Homophobia (Kampania Przeciw Homofobii – KPH)
Founded in 2001, Campaign Against Homophobia is one of Poland’s leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations. KPH works on legal reforms, providing legal support to individuals facing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. They focus on raising awareness about LGBTQ+ issues and advocating for equal rights, while also offering psychological and legal assistance to LGBTQ+ individuals in need.
The organisation rose to prominence in 2003, launching a visibility campaign called “Let Them See Us” that featured photographs of same-sex couples holding hands in public spaces. This campaign was truly groundbreaking at the time, as the topic of homosexuality was in the margins of public discourse and largely considered a taboo. While the campaign has not been without its controversies (including a significant pushback and vandalism to the billboards), it launched the topic of homosexuality to the mainstream public discourse and contributed to conversations about societal prejudices
Since then, the organisation continued its work on LGBTQ+ advocacy, with initiatives such as “Rainbow Friday” in 2015 (seeking to create a safer and more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ students in schools) or an “Emergency Apartment” initiative that helps young queer people experiencing homelessness in Warsaw.
#5. The Center for Monitoring Racist and Xenophobic Behaviour (OMZRiK)
The Center for Monitoring Racism and Xenophobia is, as the name suggests, a watchdog organisation focused on documenting and addressing instances of racism, xenophobia, and hate crimes, occurring in Poland. The organisation works by collecting data on discrimination cases, providing legal assistance to victims, and pushing for legal reforms to protect racial and ethnic minorities. They regularly publish reports that shed light on the prevalence and nature of such offences.
A defining and controversial moment came in 2017 when police raided OMZRiK’s Białystok office and the affiliated ThreeRivers Theatre. The organization condemned the raid as politically motivated, viewing it as an attempt to silence criticism of rising nationalism and anti-immigrant sentiment. Founder Rafał Gaweł’s 2019 prison sentence, widely seen as politically driven, led him to seek asylum in Norway, drawing international concern. His case underscored the growing pressure on civil society in Poland and cemented OMZRiK’s role in defending democratic freedoms and minority rights.
#6. The Polish Migration Forum Foundation (Fundacja Polskie Forum Migracyjne, PMF)
Established in 2007, in response to the increasing migration challenges in Poland, the Polish Migration Forum Foundation is an organisation supporting migrants and refugees in navigating legal, social, and cultural barriers they enter as they move to Poland. The organization provides psychological assistance, legal aid, language courses, and job counselling, helping newcomers integrate into Polish society. PMF is especially known for its trauma-informed mental health support, offering counselling and workshops for both adults and children.
During the Belarus–Poland border crisis, PMF set up a temporary office near the border to provide urgent legal aid and humanitarian support to asylum seekers. The foundation also works to challenge anti-migrant narratives through education and policy advocacy. The foundation is also an active member of several networks, including the Migration Consortium, International Detention Coalition and the European Network of Migrant Women.
#7. Batory Foundation (Fundacja im. Stefana Batorego)
Named after the 16th-century Polish king – Stefan Batory – the Batory Foundation is one of Poland’s most prominent independent foundations, working to strengthen democracy, civil society, and human rights. Established in May 1988, by American philanthropist George Soros and a group of Polish democratic opposition leaders from the 1980s, including Bronisław Geremek and Leszek Kołakowski, the organisation funds projects that challenge government overreach, support grassroots activism, and defend democratic values.
In recent years, the foundation has been particularly active in monitoring elections, advocating for judicial independence, and resisting democratic backsliding. By fostering an engaged and informed society, the Batory Foundation plays a crucial role in protecting Poland’s democratic institutions from authoritarian threats.
#8. Women’s Rights Centre (Centrum Praw Kobiet)
Women’s Rights Centre (Centrum Praw Kobiet) is an organisation that for over 30 years has been at the forefront of fighting gender-based violence and discrimination in Poland. Providing legal aid, psychological support, and emergency shelter to women facing domestic abuse, the organization also pushes for stronger laws to protect survivors. In a country where access to justice for women remains an uphill battle, the Centre has been a lifeline for thousands, offering not only direct assistance but also leading campaigns to change public attitudes and legislation.
Amongst its core achievements, the Centre has played a major role in the implementation of the Anti-Violence Convention (Istanbul Convention) in Poland and continues to fight against attempts to withdraw from it. Despite political backlash and hostilities from the right-wing, it remains a crucial force in advocating for women’s rights and gender equality. With offices in several Polish cities and a 24/7 helpline, it remains one of the most trusted organisations for women seeking both immediate help and long-term justice.
#9. La Strada (Fundacja Przeciwko Handlowi Kobietami)
La Strada Foundation is Poland’s leading organization dedicated to fighting human trafficking, forced labour, and modern slavery. Founded in 1995 as part of the international La Strada network, it focuses on prevention, direct assistance to survivors, and advocacy for systemic change. The foundation offers comprehensive support to trafficking victims: legal aid, psychological counselling, safe accommodation, and help in navigating complex bureaucratic processes. Many of those it assists are migrants, women, and children who have been deceived by false job offers or trapped in abusive working conditions.
Beyond individual support, La Strada plays a critical role in raising awareness about trafficking risks among vulnerable communities. It organizes training sessions for law enforcement, border guards, and social workers to improve the identification and protection of victims. Public education campaigns, including social media initiatives and school outreach, aim to prevent trafficking before it happens. Over the years, La Strada has become a respected voice in shaping Poland’s anti-trafficking policies, advocating for more survivor-centered laws and protections in a climate where exploitation often remains hidden.
#10. Never Again Association
Since its founding in 1996, the Never Again Association has been one of Poland’s most active groups fighting racism, xenophobia, and far-right extremism. Known for its meticulous monitoring of hate crimes and hate speech, it documents incidents that often go unreported, creating one of the most reliable databases on extremist activity in the country. The association also works on public education, running campaigns that promote tolerance and historical awareness, particularly about the Holocaust, anti-Semitism, and other forms of discrimination.
One of Never Again’s most influential projects is the “Let’s Kick Racism Out of Stadiums” campaign, aimed at tackling racism in Polish football culture – a project that has gained international attention. They also partner with music festivals, publishing houses, and youth organizations to spread anti-racist messages and prevent the normalization of hate. Through advocacy, education, and public interventions, Never Again stands as a key force resisting the resurgence of far-right ideologies in Poland’s political and social life.
#11. Autonomy Foundation
The Autonomy Foundation is a feminist organization committed to dismantling systemic inequalities and empowering women, girls, and marginalized communities in Poland. Founded in 2007, the foundation challenges patriarchal norms and structures through a mix of education, advocacy, and grassroots organizing. Its work revolves around three main pillars: preventing gender-based violence, promoting gender equality, and fostering leadership and civic engagement among those often pushed to the margins of public life.
One of Autonomy’s signature initiatives is the “Power and Voice” program, which combines self-defence training with consciousness-raising workshops that teach women and girls to assert their rights, set boundaries, and build confidence in public and private spaces. The foundation also engages in intersectional activism: supporting LGBTQ+ rights, migrant justice, and anti-racist causes, recognizing that gender-based discrimination often overlaps with other forms of oppression. In a country where feminist activism often faces political resistance, the foundation stands out as a bold, unapologetic force for social transformation.
