WARSAW, Poland — On Monday, various human rights and civil society organizations expressed alarm following the announcement by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk regarding a plan to temporarily halt the right to asylum. This action is purportedly in response to what he claims are abuses of the asylum process by neighboring countries, particularly Belarus and Russia.
Since 2021, Poland has faced significant migration challenges at its border with Belarus, which serves as a part of the European Union’s external frontier. Repeatedly, Polish officials have alleged that both Belarus and Russia are orchestrating the large movement of migrants from the Middle East and Africa to create instability within Europe. They assert that this is a component of a hybrid warfare strategy employed by Moscow against the West as it maintains its ongoing military campaign in Ukraine.
While some migrants have sought asylum in Poland, many choose to traverse the EU’s Schengen Area—characterized by the absence of border controls—to reach countries such as Germany and other western European nations. In light of a series of extremist incidents that have heightened security anxiety, Germany has recently increased border restrictions to combat irregular migration. Tusk called Germany’s actions “unacceptable.”
Tusk revealed his intention to suspend asylum rights during a recent Civic Coalition convention on Saturday. This plan will be discussed in further detail during an upcoming Cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
In an open letter addressed to Tusk, numerous non-governmental organizations have urged him to uphold the right to asylum as stipulated by international treaties to which Poland is a signatory—these include the Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, in addition to Poland’s own constitution. The organizations emphasized the importance of respecting fundamental rights and freedoms, highlighting how these rights allowed many Polish citizens to find refuge during the oppressive times of communist rule. “Current global conflicts and our own precarious situation at the edge of war do not absolve us from the duty of humanity and the rule of law,” the letter stated. It was co-signed by Amnesty International and 45 other organizations committed to various humanitarian, legal, and civil rights causes.
In defense of his proposed suspension, Tusk pointed to Finland’s previous decision to stop accepting asylum applications amid pressure at its border with Russia. He stated, “The right to asylum is being used strategically in this conflict and is detached from the notion of human rights. Ensuring border control and the territorial security of Poland is our top priority, and all our actions will align with this objective.” Tusk communicated this stance through a post on X over the weekend.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the European Commission acknowledged the challenges posed by Belarus and Russia but refrained from outright criticism of Tusk’s strategy. “Protecting the external boundaries of the EU, particularly from Belarus and Russia—countries that have exerted considerable pressure on these borders over the past three years—is essential,” stated European Commission representative Anitta Hipper during a Monday briefing. However, she emphasized that EU member nations are legally mandated to permit individuals to apply for international protection. Hipper also noted that the Commission aims to equip member states with the necessary resources to confront these types of hybrid threats effectively.