Refugee rights activists in Poland have criticized the government’s plans to tighten security at the border with Belarus and continue the policy of pushing migrants back across the border. Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited the border area and vowed to strengthen security, citing Belarus’s use of migrants to pressure the EU and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The activists have raised concerns about the lack of consideration for human lives in these security measures.
Migrants, mainly from the Middle East and Africa, have been arriving at the border in search of entry into the EU since 2021. Polish authorities have been attempting to keep them out by pushing them back, which activists argue violates international law. The EU has accused Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of luring migrants to create a migration crisis and destabilize the EU, leading to a new route for migrants to enter Europe more easily.
Despite being a safer, cheaper, and faster route to Europe, some migrants have died at the border, with more than 60 deaths reported by activists since 2021. The construction of a steel wall along the border by Poland’s previous populist government, led by the Law and Justice party, was a response to the influx of migrants. While activists hoped for a policy change under Prime Minister Tusk, known for his social liberalism, he has maintained a strong stance against irregular migration.
The activists express difficulty in raising awareness about ongoing pushbacks at the border due to the respect and popularity that Prime Minister Tusk enjoys abroad. They highlight the need to address the humanitarian aspect of the situation and ensure that the rights and lives of migrants are respected. The issue of migration and border security remains a contentious issue in Poland and the EU, with ongoing tensions between different political factions over how to handle the situation. The activists continue to advocate for a more humane approach to migration policies.
