Poland is intensifying its efforts to manage a migration crisis that it attributes to the actions of Belarus and Russia. In a significant policy shift, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced plans to temporarily suspend the right to asylum as part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at curbing irregular migration.
This announcement comes amid heightened tensions with Belarus, which Poland accuses of facilitating the movement of migrants across their shared border. Tusk emphasized the need for European acknowledgment of this decision, stating that the right to asylum has been manipulated by foreign leaders and human smugglers, undermining its fundamental purpose.
The migration crisis in Poland has been a pressing issue since 2021 when thousands of asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Syria, and the Kurdish region of Iraq sought to enter the country via Belarus. The Polish government, alongside the European Union, contends that this crisis has been orchestrated by Belarusian authorities in collaboration with Russian leadership.
Reports indicate that Belarus promoted travel from the Middle East through various tourist agencies, allowing many to obtain visas and travel to Minsk with the expectation of crossing into the European Union.
Poland Suspends Asylum Rights to Combat Migration Crisis Blamed on Belarus and Russia
To counter this influx, Poland has reinforced its border controls, framing its actions as necessary to protect national sovereignty and public safety. Tusk’s announcement regarding the suspension of asylum rights forms part of this broader strategy, reflecting a shift towards more stringent immigration policies.
While this approach has garnered considerable support from the Polish public, it has also raised concerns among human rights advocates, who argue that suspending the right to asylum contravenes constitutional rights and could place migrants in precarious situations.
Human rights organizations, such as Grupa Granica, have criticized the government’s plans, asserting that they would only exacerbate the risks faced by migrants and drive them toward smugglers. Activists argue that Prime Minister Tusk is violating the very constitutional protections he vowed to uphold, suggesting that such measures could lead to a situation where vulnerable individuals are denied essential rights.
The ongoing debate highlights the tension between national security concerns and the humanitarian obligations towards those seeking asylum.
Poland’s border management practices have faced scrutiny, particularly regarding allegations of “pushbacks” against non-European refugees attempting to enter the country. These practices have been documented within a designated “red zone” along the border with Belarus, where strict measures were implemented to control crossings.
Although this red zone was established in 2021 and closed in 2022 during the construction of a steel barrier, it was reopened in 2024 following the death of a Polish soldier at the border. This history underscores the complexities and challenges Poland faces as it navigates the dual objectives of securing its borders and addressing the rights of migrants.
