An official from Oxfam has commented on the situation at the Poland-Belarus border, declaring it a humanitarian and human rights crisis that demands similar solutions. This statement comes in response to Poland’s decision to temporarily halt the right of migrants arriving via this border to seek asylum, which has been criticized by human rights organizations for potentially exacerbating the crisis. According to Oxfam, the current reality along the border could become even more entrenched with the implementation of the new law. Polish President Andrzej Duda has defended the legislation, arguing it is necessary for national security. This move aligns with Poland’s efforts to strengthen the EU’s external borders, amidst concerns about Russia and Belarus allegedly using migration as a tool to destabilize Europe. The border, particularly the Białowieża Forest, has become a dangerous passage for migrants, marked by harsh conditions and human rights violations by border guards on both sides. Human rights leaders emphasize the need for asylum applications to be processed, regardless of political considerations, and criticize Poland’s adoption of pushback policies, which are against international and EU laws. Despite initial disapproval from the European Commission, a shift in stance has allowed member states to take decisive measures to secure their borders while maintaining the principle of non-refoulment. This shift raises concerns about the lack of clear procedures and the potential for abuse by border guards in implementing the new laws. The establishment of a buffer zone along the border has restricted access to humanitarian organizations, complicating their ability to assist those in need and monitor the situation accurately. The zone, initially justified for security reasons, has been associated with a decrease in irregular border crossings, though humanitarian organizations point to the difficulty in verifying the true scale of the crisis due to limited access. Additionally, a new law exempting security personnel from criminal liability for improper use of firearms at the border has sparked further human rights concerns.

Source: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/03/28/ngos-criticise-polish-asylum-law-say-human-rights-are-almost-non-existent-at-border