Poland has announced a temporary suspension of migrants’ right to apply for asylum upon arrival at the Belarus border.
The move follows a controversial bill signed into law by President Andrzej Duda, which allows authorities to suspend asylum rights for up to 60 days.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed the decision, stating it would be enforced “without a moment’s delay” to improve border security. President Duda defended the changes, emphasizing the need to protect the country’s borders.
However, Human Rights Watch and other rights groups have strongly criticized the law, arguing it violates Poland’s international and EU obligations. The group previously urged Poland’s parliament to reject the bill, warning it could effectively seal off the Poland-Belarus border, where unlawful pushbacks are reportedly occurring.
The Polish government insists the suspension will only apply to individuals deemed a threat to state security, such as large groups attempting to storm the border. Exemptions will be made for unaccompanied minors, pregnant women, the elderly, and those facing a real risk of serious harm.
Dismissing criticism, Tusk maintained that the move targets migrants crossing the border in groups organized by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.
Since 2021, countries like Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Finland have faced a surge in illegal crossings from Belarus and Russia. In response, Polish authorities deployed thousands of troops and border guards and constructed a 5.5-metre-high steel fence along 186 km of the border.
Rights groups estimate that over 100 migrants have died on the Belarus-Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia borders since 2021.
The EU and European Commission have accused Belarus and Russia of using migration as a political tool to destabilize the European Union.
