Poland to suspend migrants' right to apply for asylum

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a temporary suspension of asylum rights for migrants. This applies to those arriving from Belarus.

The announcement followed the signing of a controversial bill by President Andrzej Duda. The law allows Polish authorities to suspend asylum rights for up to 60 days.

Tusk stated that his government would implement the law immediately. Duda emphasized that these changes are necessary for border security.

Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, criticized the law. They urged the EU to take legal action against Poland if it is enforced.

Human Rights Watch called on Poland's parliament to reject the bill. They argued it violates Poland's international and EU obligations. The group warned it could seal off the Poland-Belarus border, where pushbacks occur.

The government clarified that suspensions would be temporary. It would apply only to individuals posing a threat to state security, like aggressive groups at the border.

Exemptions will be made for unaccompanied minors, pregnant women, and the elderly. Those at risk of serious harm or from countries accused of instrumentalizing migration will also be exempted.

Tusk dismissed critiques from human rights organizations. He stated that they are not violating human rights or asylum rights.

Since 2021, there has been a surge in illegal crossings into Poland and neighboring countries from Belarus and Russia.

Poland has deployed thousands of troops and border guards along its border with Belarus. They have also built a 5.5-meter-high steel fence along 186 kilometers of this frontier.

Rights groups estimate over one hundred people have died at these borders since 2021.

Countries in the EU's eastern flank accuse Belarusian and Russian authorities of weaponizing migration. They believe this tactic aims to destabilize the European Union.