A group of around 30 migrants, including small children, has been stranded at Poland’s border wall. With Belarus for three days, according to Polish human rights activists.
In Belarus, they are not safe
The activists, known as Grupa Granica (Border Group), state that despite being outside Poland’s border wall, the migrants are on Polish territory and Belarus is preventing them from turning back.
Activist Marta Staniszewska expressed concern about the safety of the migrants in Belarus, stating that the group had informed them of threats from Belarusian authorities. These threats reportedly included beatings and even death if the migrants were to return. Staniszewska shared this information with The Associated Press.
According to Staniszewska, the migrants have reported various health issues, including sickness, a toothache in one girl, and mosquito bites on the children.
“Polish ombudsman visits migrants, decision with Border Guard”
On Sunday, a representative from Poland’s ombudsman’s office visited and spoke with the group. However, the decision on whether to allow them into the country rests with the Polish Border Guard. As stated by the representative, Maciej Grzeskowiak. Grzeskowiak emphasized that if the migrants fall under the jurisdiction of the Polish Border Guard and express their intention to seek international protection, their applications should be accepted.
Last year, Poland erected a nearly 190-kilometer (117-mile) tall metal wall to prevent thousands of migrants from Asia and Africa from entering the country through Belarus.
EU accuses Lukashenko of border crossings; Poland’s Kaczynski supports wall
The European Union has accused Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, an authoritarian leader, of facilitating illegal border crossings as a retaliatory measure against EU sanctions. Lukashenko, however, denies encouraging migration to Europe.
Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the influential leader of Poland’s right-wing ruling party, recently praised the decision to construct the wall. Stating that it serves as protection against hostile actions by Belarus and Russia, both members of the EU.
Despite the presence of the wall, the Border Guard reports that up to 150 migrants from various countries, often carrying Russian visas, attempt to illegally cross into Poland each day. Some of these groups have thrown stones. And sticks at the border guards from behind the wall before eventually moving away. It remains unclear what happens to these groups from Poland’s perspective.
Background:
The crisis began in 2021 when Belarus, under President Alexander Lukashenko, allegedly encouraged. And facilitated the influx of migrants from the Middle East, mainly Iraq and Syria. To the Belarusian borders with EU member states, particularly Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland. Belarus reportedly utilized visa-free travel agreements with these countries to transport migrants to the border region.
The migrant crisis at the Belarus-EU border continues to pose significant challenges for all parties involved. It highlights the complex interplay between political tensions, migration policies, and regional security concerns. As the situation unfolds, finding a sustainable and humanitarian solution is crucial to address the immediate crisis. And prevent similar incidents in the future.
