The European Commission has approved Poland’s plan to temporarily suspend asylum rights in response to escalating border pressures. This move targets the migration flows allegedly weaponized by Russia and Belarus to destabilize the EU’s eastern borders.
Exceptional Measures for Border Security
Poland’s proposal allows a temporary and regional suspension of asylum applications. The measure is intended to address security threats stemming from organized migrant movements along the border. Finland has also drafted similar emergency laws to block asylum claims when necessary.
According to the European Commission, such actions are acceptable if they are proportionate, temporary, and necessary. “Member states can adopt exceptional measures, but these must comply with legal limits,” explained Henna Virkkunen, the Commission’s Vice President for Security and Democracy. This approval marks a shift in the Commission’s stance, which initially warned Poland of its duty to process asylum claims.
Criticism from Human Rights Organizations
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, strongly criticized the plan as “unlawful.” Human Rights Watch reported cases where Polish border guards forcibly pushed migrants back into Belarus. Migrants faced harsh conditions and mistreatment by Belarusian authorities after being expelled.
The Commission reaffirmed the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits sending individuals to places where they risk persecution or abuse. However, the Commission did not clarify whether returning migrants to Belarus breaches this principle.
This decision highlights the EU’s shifting focus toward border security over humanitarian obligations. Critics warn that temporary restrictions could become permanent, weakening the bloc’s commitment to protecting asylum rights.