“Full responsibility lies with Belarus,” says Poland’s interior ministry.
“Full responsibility lies with Belarus,” says Poland’s interior ministry.
The measures were introduced on the German and Lithuanian borders.
We are an independent, nonprofit media outlet, funded through the support of our readers.
If you appreciate the work we do, please consider helping us to continue and expand it.
So far this year, there have been almost 28,000 attempted illegal crossings, more than in the whole of 2023.
The interior minister has accused Kaczyński of seeking to “spread fear”.
Meanwhile, a group of almost 50 NGOs, including Amnesty International, has called on the prime minister not to go ahead with the plans.
“The zone has brought good, concrete results,” says the interior minister.
This year has seen a renewed migration and security crisis on Poland’s border with Belarus.
“National security cannot serve as a carte blanche to adopt measures that raise questions of compatibility with human rights standards.”
The cases were brought by Afghan and Ethiopian migrants, one of whom tried to claim asylum in Poland before being sent back to Belarus.
The number of people smugglers discovered on the Polish side of the border has also fallen significantly.
The figures come amid controversy in Poland over the return of migrants from Germany.
Politicians from both the ruling coalition and opposition have criticised the actions of military police and prosecutors.
The measures would remove criminal liability for the use of weapons when officers are acting in self-defence or repelling “attacks on the border”.
The measures will “interfere with basic constitutional freedoms” and “impede the provision of humanitarian, medical and legal assistance” to migrants.