Poland’s Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, views his country as facing threats from both Russia’s ongoing conflict in neighboring Ukraine and a migration issue orchestrated by Belarus and Russia. According to Tusk, the situation is exacerbated by a new form of migration where authoritarian regimes orchestrate human smuggling on a large scale. The issue came to light in 2021 when there was a sudden increase in attempted border crossings along the Polish-Belarusian border.
The migrants, who come from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, initially enter Belarus on tourist visas before being taken to the Polish border, often by Belarusian soldiers. Despite Poland’s reinforcement of the border with barbed-wire fences, many migrants continue to try to use this route to enter the EU. The situation has been criticized, with accusations against Poland’s border guards of turning away people without allowing them to apply for international protection. There have been repeated court confirmations of these condemnable practices.
Tusk is now looking to address the matter by amending Polish asylum law to potentially suspend the right to claim asylum. If passed, this law would permit the suspension of asylum application rights in cases of “instrumentalization of migration” if it poses a threat to the security of the state or society, with exceptions for minors, pregnant women, elderly or sick individuals, and those persecuted in Belarus. While some see this as a violation of human rights, Deputy Interior Minister Maciej Duszczyk argues that it’s about prioritizing the rights of Polish citizens over those of migrants. However, organizations have responded with concern, noting the already controversially managed border situation.
Critics argue that the new law essentially legalizes the current practice of pushbacks at the border, despite relatively low asylum applications in the region. This move is seen by some as a drastic violation of international and Polish law by Hanna Machinska, a lawyer and former deputy commissioner for human rights. As Poland prepares for presidential elections in May, candidates are using this issue to attract voters, with differing stances on the EU’s migration policy.
The bill for the amendment is currently with the Polish Senate, where its passage is anticipated. Should it pass, the signature of conservative President Andrzej Duda is expected to be forthcoming. The new law’s implementation could potentially be in effect by the time migration numbers rise in the spring.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/poland-temporarily-suspends-right-to-asylum/a-71782793?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
