Poland to temporarily suspend asylum rights amid Belarus border tensions
Al JazeeraOCT 20 2024
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Saturday that he plans to temporarily suspend the right to asylum as part of a new migration strategy to reduce irregular migration.
The decision reportedly comes in response to an ongoing border crisis that Poland claims has been orchestrated by Belarus and Russia since 2021, involving migrants primarily from Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq.
In announcing his decision, Tusk accused Belarusian Pres. Alexander Lukashenko, Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin, and human smugglers and traffickers of misusing "the essence of the right to asylum."
The suspension of asylum rights is necessary to regain control over Poland's borders and protect national security. Hostile foreign powers and criminal networks are exploiting the current system, undermining its intended purpose. This decisive action will effectively combat illegal migration and safeguard Poland's interests.
Suspending the right to asylum violates constitutional principles and international obligations. This drastic measure will push vulnerable migrants into the hands of smugglers and exacerbate their already precarious situation. Instead of addressing the root causes of migration, this policy criminalizes those seeking safety and protection.