In response to increasing migration pressure from Belarus, Poland has enacted a temporary suspension of asylum applications for newly arriving refugees. President Andrzej Duda signed a law permitting this measure, citing the need to enhance border security. This decision comes amid accusations from Poland that Belarus and Russia are using migrants to destabilize the European Union. The law allows asylum applications only from foreigners who enter Poland legally and is set to last initially for 60 days, with potential extensions requiring parliamentary approval.
The European Union has expressed concern over alleged "hybrid" attacks involving migrant movements orchestrated by Belarus. Meanwhile, Poland's move has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which argue that the suspension contravenes international and EU obligations. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions at Europe's eastern borders and the balancing act between national security and humanitarian responsibilities. The Polish government remains firm on the necessity of this action to control the migration influx, despite the backlash from rights groups.
