Portraits of Strength 4th Edition: Małgorzata Szuleka, Poland

Agata Kubis photographed Małgorzata Szuleka in Warsaw, Poland, in June 2026, for the fourth edition of the “Portraits of Strength” photography series.

Why did you become a human rights defender?

If I’m being perfectly honest, I must admit I became a human rights defender by chance. 

During law school, I quickly realised that I’m not cut out for corporate or business law, for that matter. I found civil and corporate law interesting, but I missed some larger social or political relevance in these cases. Still, I never thought about human rights as such. 

That changed when I joined a human rights seminar and soon began working with the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights. What was meant to be a short internship became full-time work. I expected to stay for a few weeks; this year marks 16 years since I first entered the HFHR office.

What is the nature of your work, and what challenges do you face as a woman human rights defender?

At HFHR, I am responsible for advocacy, research and monitoring. I document human rights violations in Poland and bring them to the attention of institutions.

Much of my work has focused on Poland’s rule-of-law crisis and its impact on institutions and human rights protection. I also work on access to justice and victims’ rights. Our latest project examines how Polish law and practice protect victims of sexual violence seeking justice.

What is the current situation with human rights in Poland?

Poland faces systemic and longstanding challenges. Restoring the rule of law and reforming the justice system are complex tasks that will take years. 

At the same time, unresolved problems remain, including inadequate protection for victims of domestic and sexual violence and growing xenophobia towards migrants and refugees, including people from Ukraine.

What kind of human rights situation would you like to see in Poland in the next 30 years?

I would like Poland to develop a comprehensive system of human rights protection. 

Today, many areas remain fragmented, and human rights are rarely treated as part of public policy. For example, the prevention of torture, access to justice and equal treatment are addressed by specialised institutions, but not always as one coherent system. Poland has never had a comprehensive human rights strategy connecting these areas. 

In 30 years, I hope to see an approach based on strong institutions, training, reliable data and regular evaluation. The risk is, however, that this unglamorous project that requires sturdy, day-to-day, year-to-year work will again be pushed aside by the next crisis.

Do human rights still matter?

Human rights remain a universal ideal and a practical framework for protecting people from injustice. Yet they are increasingly questioned, while defenders are often portrayed as naive activists detached from reality.

In fact, our work brings us close to that reality. We see the harm behind abstract political debates: people failed by institutions, discrimination and the damage caused when those in power are not held accountable. 

As long as there is a violation to document, a case to litigate or an unjust practice to change, human rights remain relevant. 

Human rights are not an abstract promise, but a practical response to real harm.

What is your motto as a human rights defender?

Be precise, be persistent, and do the work.

About Portraits of Strength

Women human rights defenders (WHRDs) work to protect and advance freedoms while facing discrimination and stereotypes about their role and participation in society.

HRHF’s “Portraits of Strength” photography series honours the vital role that women play in defending human rights, and portrays women human rights defenders from across the Network of Human Rights Houses.

The exhibition, now in its fourth edition, shares portraits taken by local women photographers and tells the stories from WHRDs working on a variety of issues, including the documentation of human rights violations and alleged war crimes, rule of law, women’s rights, political prisoners, freedom of expression, and more.

Find out more here.