Poland has temporarily prohibited migrants from seeking asylum as part of an effort to 'regain control' over its borders.
Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, declared that the entitlement to seek asylum would be temporarily halted for 60 days due to a surge in arrivals. Belarus border.
Exceptions will be granted for unaccompanied children, expectant mothers, senior citizens, individuals who are not feeling well, and those facing a genuine threat of significant danger.
The two-month restriction will be implemented immediately, Tusk stated yesterday evening.
Polish authorities have asserted that the Kremlin has coerced its neighbor Belarus into channeling migrants toward their shared frontier to undermine the EU stability.
Warsaw has put up a five-meter tall barbed wire fence along a significant portion of the border after a steady flow of immigrants tried to enter the country.
Video surfaced over the weekend showing 280 migrants. trying to enter Poland from Belarus .
The team successfully cut an opening in the fence using a cutting torch and then proceeded to go through one at a time.
Nevertheless, they are soon caught by soldiers arriving in armored vehicles, who stop them from proceeding further before attempting to repair the fence.
The Polish President, Andrzej Duda, allegedly showed reluctance towards approving the suspension due to concerns that it might impact refugees coming from Belarus.
Nevertheless, authorities have ensured that individuals who genuinely face danger will retain their ability to seek asylum.
Duda stated yesterday: "Today, I made the decision for what is called the asylum act to be implemented. I signed it as I think it is essential to enhance the safety of our frontiers."
'The most important thing is to defend the Polish border and the Polish services that guard it.'
Since taking office at the end of 2023, Tusk has aimed to strengthen Poland's border controls.
He stated that the contentious bill would be a step towards reclaiming 'Poland's border control'.
When presenting his suggestions, he stated: "Should anyone wish to visit Poland, they ought to adhere to Polish norms, embrace Polish traditions, and be keen on integrating."
'The native culture can feel endangered when there are too many individuals from different cultural backgrounds present.'
Since 2021, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Finland have noticed a significant increase in individuals unlawfully entering their country from Belarus and Russia.
The nations have blamed both Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko for arming migration as a tactic to undermine the European Union stability .
More than 15,000 individuals sought asylum in Poland during 2024, marking a 72 percent increase from the previous year and representing the highest yearly total since 2016.
Following Ukrainians, the highest number of applications last year came from Belarusians, totaling 3,663 asylum seekers, followed by 823 Russians.
Next comes Ethiopia with 515, Eritrea with 505, and Somalia with 486.
The crossing has been perilous for numerous migrants, as nearly 100 reported fatalities are believed to be below the actual number.
Poland's actions have faced considerable scrutiny, with Human Rights Watch stating that they contradict Poland’s international and EU commitments. They also warn that these measures might 'entirely close down the Poland-Belarus border,' despite reports of Polish officials already engaging in illegal and harsh pushback practices.
They have similarly called for the EU to initiate legal proceedings against Poland after the implementation of the law.
But Tusk dismissed this in October, saying: 'Nobody is talking about violating human rights, the right to asylum, we are talking about not granting applications to people who illegally cross the border in groups organised by Lukashenko.'
In February, the Polish authorities announced their decision not to participate in the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, an initiative established to handle the influx of refugees into the union.
As per the accord, states had the option to move a specific quota of migrants, make a monetary contribution, or offer operational assistance to facilitate resettlement.
Nevertheless, both Poland and Hungary have objected to this measure, intended to hold legal force for every EU nation-state.
Tusk stated: "Poland will not enforce the Migration Pact if it requires introducing extra immigration quotas within the country."
We are prepared to collaborate with all parties in safeguarding Europe against unlawful immigration. Nevertheless, Poland will not assume any further responsibilities. We have already undertaken considerably more than one might have anticipated only a few years back.
The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, acknowledged that Poland has taken in more Ukrainian refugees since Russia’s invasion in 2022 than could be reasonably expected of them.
Other EU member states are also implementing measures to restrict the privileges of those seeking asylum.
Finland has barred all migrants from entering through its Russian border since 2023, whereas the newly appointed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged to halt all unauthorized immigration across Germany's terrestrial boundaries upon taking office .
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