Poland's anti-discrimination law covers many forms of ethnic, racial, religious, and nationality discrimination, but has a weak spot on discrimination by association or on the basis of assumed characteristics, which is still up to judicial interpretation. Since judicial interpretation is lacking, Poland is the only MIPEX country to score a critically weak 0% score on fields of application (see box). Nevertheless, the law is enforced slightly favourably. Complainants can access a number of procedures, which offer a wide range of possible punishments for the perpetrator. Yet they are only protected from victimisation at work, and can only benefit from a shift in the burden of proof in employment-related cases. The state does promote equality in its functions (see box). But the specialised equality agency, which is in fact a department within the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, cannot give victims independent legal advice, investigate the facts of their case, or engage in proceedings on their behalf.
