The Sejm voted to extend the temporary suspension of the right to asylum at the border with Belarus. 414 Members voted in favour, 11 against, and no 1 abstained.
The fresh restrictions will apply from 23 September for another 60 days. This is the 3rd extension since the introduction of government in March this year.
Cross-border statistics
Deputy Head of the Ministry of Interior and Administration Maciej Duszczyk stressed that the situation on the Polish-Belarusian border remains very difficult. By September 11, there were 25,287 attempts to cross the border, any trying respective times.
"In the same period in 2024 we had specified trials 25 268. You can see that this number is very similar" - said Duszczyk. The highest number of people returned to Belarus comes from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Sudan and Somalia.
Dramatic decline in asylum applications
By 7 September, applications for global protection were accepted from only 52 foreigners from susceptible groups. These were 24 people due to their wellness condition, 16 pregnant women with six children, 1 due to their old age and 5 unaccompanied minors.
In the same period last year there were 1190 applications for 1,342 people. This shows a drastic decline in the proposals adopted since the introduction of restrictions.
Government reasons
In his justification, the Prime Minister stressed that "the reason for this regulation has not ceased". The instrumentisation of migration continues to take place and the actions taken within it represent a serious threat to national security.
From the introduction of the regulation on 27 March to 28 August, no applications from 221 foreigners were accepted and 50 from susceptible groups were accepted. By comparison, 162 applications involving 189 people were adopted before the regulation was introduced.
Legal basis and exceptions
The regulation was introduced by a Regulation of the Council of Ministers of 27 March on the basis of the Asylum Act adopted in December 2024. The Act aims to prevent the usage of migration by Belarus, which organises the migration of migrants to the European Union in cooperation with Russia.
Despite restrictions, the Border defender may accept applications from unaccompanied minors, pregnant women and susceptible persons. The exception besides applies to people at hazard of "real hazard of serious harm" in the country of origin.
Social organisations active in assisting refugees are against the rules. In their opinion, they are incompatible with the Constitution of Poland, especially with the article guaranteeing foreigners the anticipation of applying for exile status, and with global obligations.
Sources used: "PAP" Note: This article has been edited with the aid of Artificial Intelligence.
