Poland’s government has announced a suspension of the right to seek asylum, a decision confirmed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk amid ongoing irregular migrant arrivals from neighboring Belarus.
The situation has escalated, with Poland and other EU countries along the eastern border accusing Russia and Belarus of orchestrating a deliberate campaign to push thousands of migrants across their borders in recent years. As Tusk noted, “This evening the government will adopt a decree suspending the right to apply for asylum. Just as I announced – without delay,” emphasizing the urgency of the matter on social media platform X.
This announcement follows President Andrzej Duda’s recent decision, supported by the right-wing opposition, to sign into law a bill that empowers the government to temporarily limit asylum rights. The new legislation also allows for the potential extension of these restrictions with parliamentary approval.
Last year, the European Union acknowledged that member states bordering Russia and Belarus were permitted to modify asylum rights for migrants under circumstances deemed as the “weaponization” of migration by Moscow and Minsk.
In December, Tusk described the legislation as a necessary step to “take back control of Poland’s borders.” Nonetheless, these measures have sparked significant backlash from human rights organizations. Last month, Human Rights Watch urged the Polish parliament to reject the proposed bill, asserting that it “flies in the face of Poland’s international and EU obligations.”
As the political landscape evolves, it remains crucial to consider both national security and humanitarian responsibilities in addressing the complexities surrounding migration.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
