Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued a statement urging the Polish government to reject a proposed bill that aims to temporarily suspend asylum rights at Poland’s border with Belarus. This legislative measure would authorize the Polish government to halt asylum applications in specified border areas for an initial period of sixty days, with the option for indefinite extensions. This proposed action comes amid ongoing scrutiny from international bodies over allegations of unlawful pushbacks by Polish border forces against migrants attempting to enter from Belarus.
Lydia Gall, an HRW researcher, emphasized the need for Poland, currently holding the presidency of the European Union, to set a precedent by adhering to international and EU obligations regarding asylum-seekers. She underscored the importance of providing those fleeing conflict and persecution with the opportunity to have their asylum claims reviewed individually. HRW has called on European institutions to press Polish lawmakers to abandon the bill and to cease pushbacks of migrants.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has also raised concerns over the potential consequences of the bill for asylum-seekers. According to UNHCR, the bill may conflict with Poland’s obligations under international law to ensure fair and effective asylum procedures. The 1951 Refugee Convention, to which Poland is a signatory, along with Articles 18 and 19 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, uphold the principle of non-refoulement which prohibits the return of individuals to territories where they face threats to their safety.
The controversy over Poland’s approach to asylum-seekers is presently being examined by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), where a case against Poland regarding alleged pushbacks is underway. As the situation develops, the international community continues to scrutinize Poland’s policies and practices at its borders.
For more details, you can access the full article on the JURIST website.