Poland has temporarily suspended the right of migrants arriving via its border with Belarus to apply for asylum, following the signing of a controversial bill into law by President Andrzej Duda.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who had promised swift action, confirmed the implementation of the new policy, which allows Polish authorities to suspend asylum rights for up to 60 days at a time. Tusk said the move is necessary to "strengthen security" at Poland’s eastern frontier, accusing Belarus of orchestrating a campaign of "hybrid warfare" by funneling migrants across the border.
The European Union has been urged to consider legal action against Poland if the law is enforced.
Additionally, citizens of countries accused of using migration as a political weapon, including Belarus, may be treated differently under the new law.
In response, Poland has deployed thousands of troops and border guards and constructed a 5.5-metre-high steel fence along a key 186 km stretch of its border with Belarus. Despite these measures, humanitarian groups estimate that more than 100 people have died on the Belarus-EU frontier since the crisis began.
While the government insists the new law will be applied selectively and temporarily, critics fear it may set a dangerous precedent and further erode Poland’s standing on human rights within the European Union.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who had promised swift action, confirmed the implementation of the new policy, which allows Polish authorities to suspend asylum rights for up to 60 days at a time. Tusk said the move is necessary to "strengthen security" at Poland’s eastern frontier, accusing Belarus of orchestrating a campaign of "hybrid warfare" by funneling migrants across the border.
The new law has drawn sharp criticism from international human rights groups. Human Rights Watch said it “flies in the face of Poland’s international and EU obligations,” warning that it could amount to a complete sealing off of the border to asylum seekers and enable illegal pushbacks, a practice condemned under international law.
The European Union has been urged to consider legal action against Poland if the law is enforced.
Limited Exemptions
According to the Polish government, the suspension will apply only in specific cases, such as groups attempting to breach the border aggressively, which authorities claim pose a threat to state security. However, exemptions will remain for unaccompanied minors, pregnant women, elderly or sick individuals, and those facing serious harm if returned to their country of origin.Additionally, citizens of countries accused of using migration as a political weapon, including Belarus, may be treated differently under the new law.
Background of Border Tensions
Poland, alongside Lithuania, Latvia, and Finland, has faced a surge in illegal crossings from Belarus and Russia since 2021. The EU and eastern member states accuse Belarus—and by extension Russia—of weaponizing migration to destabilize the bloc.In response, Poland has deployed thousands of troops and border guards and constructed a 5.5-metre-high steel fence along a key 186 km stretch of its border with Belarus. Despite these measures, humanitarian groups estimate that more than 100 people have died on the Belarus-EU frontier since the crisis began.
While the government insists the new law will be applied selectively and temporarily, critics fear it may set a dangerous precedent and further erode Poland’s standing on human rights within the European Union.
