The European Commission has approved Poland’s controversial plan to temporarily suspend asylum rights. This measure aims to counter the migration flows orchestrated by Russia and Belarus along the EU’s eastern border. The decision marks a significant shift in the bloc’s migration policy.
Exceptional Measures in Response to Security Threats
Poland’s plan allows for the temporary suspension of asylum applications in specific border regions. This decision comes as a response to hybrid tactics used by Russia and Belarus to destabilize EU borders. Finland has also prepared similar emergency legislation to block asylum claims if necessary.
The Commission stated that such restrictions are permissible only if they are proportionate, temporary, and strictly necessary to address security threats. “In exceptional situations, member states can limit asylum rights, but this must comply with legal frameworks,” said Henna Virkkunen, Vice President of the European Commission for Security and Democracy. This stance represents a reversal, as the Commission had initially warned Poland against such measures, emphasizing the obligation to provide access to asylum procedures.
Human Rights Concerns and Pushback Controversy
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the decision as “blatantly unlawful.” A recent Human Rights Watch report accused Poland of violently pushing migrants back into Belarus, exposing them to harsh conditions and abuse by Belarusian authorities.
The Commission underscored the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits sending migrants to countries where they face persecution or ill-treatment. However, the Commission did not clarify if returning migrants to Belarus violates this principle.
This new policy reflects a growing emphasis on security within the EU. Critics fear that measures introduced as temporary exceptions could become permanent, undermining the bloc’s commitment to asylum rights.
