WARSAW, Poland — On Saturday, the Polish Prime Minister announced plans to temporarily suspend the right to asylum as part of an updated migration policy, citing concerns over its potential misuse by neighboring Belarus and Russia.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the importance of the nation re-establishing full control over its borders, stating, “the state must regain 100% of the control over who enters and leaves Poland.” The proposal to suspend asylum rights is expected to be included in a strategy that will be discussed at an upcoming Cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday, as reported by Polish news outlet PAP.
While specifics were not disclosed, Tusk highlighted his commitment to significantly reducing illegal migration into Poland. The country has faced ongoing migration challenges along its border with Belarus since 2021, with consecutive Polish administrations accusing Belarus and Russia of encouraging migrants from the Middle East and Africa to facilitate regional instability.
Tusk expressed concerns regarding the alleged exploitation of asylum rights by leaders such as Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as by human smugglers. He called this alleged misuse a direct contradiction to the fundamental principles of the right to asylum.
Furthermore, Tusk indicated he would seek acknowledgment of his government’s asylum plan from the European Union.
His statements followed remarks made by Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski, who mentioned on Thursday that Poland would be tightening its visa policies, including stricter application vetting processes. This adjustment comes in the wake of an investigation into a visa scandal involving financial irregularities that occurred under the prior government.
