A new Amnesty International briefing on Poland issued today paints a picture of a country struggling to tackle a rise in racism and with a police force which frequently relies on excessive force to quell discontent.

The briefing looks at the country overall as well as focusing on the four host cities for Euro 2012: Warsaw, Gdansk, Wroclaw and Poznan.

Kate Allen, Director of Amnesty International UK, said:

“Euro 2012 is an opportunity for supporters and their families to enjoy a festival of football. However, the harsh reality is that racism remains commonplace in Poland and there are numerous reports of xenophobia on the terraces and in the stands of Polish football grounds.

“Then there are concerns about the policing. Polish police have repeatedly been accused of using excessive force. For any fan choosing to travel to the country they should be fully aware that their experience may well be far different from their experience here in the UK.”