Tensions at the Poland-Belarus border escalated on Tuesday after Polish security forces used tear gas and water cannons to disperse migrants who tried to cross the border to enter the European Union (EU).
In a tweet, Poland’s border security agency said they used water cannons against aggressive foreigners and stone-throwing migrants. Polish police added that an officer was seriously injured and accused Belarus of stirring up the conflict. They said, “Unfortunately, as a result of an attack by people inspired by the Belarusian side, a police officer has been seriously injured.” Warsaw claimed that people were armed with gas grenades supplied by Belarus.
Human rights commissioner for the Council of Europe Dunja Mijatović called for de-escalation and urged both countries to allow aid workers and media to access the border region. She said, “We need to step aside and think what is happening at the European border, why are these people left in limbo, and what can be done in order to stop this extremely dangerous situation.” She further slammed Belarus for transporting refugees to the border, calling it unacceptable.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also voiced concern over the situation in Belarus and expressed solidarity with Poland and the affected allies.
Earlier on Monday, Baltic countries, including Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, urged the international community to hold the Belarusian leader and his regime responsible for human trafficking and called on the EU to tighten its asylum policy. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said: “We can see how the situation on Lithuania’s border is deteriorating. This situation requires immediate solutions and actions on the European and international levels. The growing threat on the border with Belarus is not only the problem for Lithuania and Poland. We are protecting the external borders of the EU and NATO.”
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticised Poland’s use of force. Russian media reported that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had discussed the humanitarian situation at the border with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Lukashenko also discussed the matter with outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday. The duo talked about measures to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to migrants.
Likewise, Niccolò A. Figà-Talamanca, Secretary-General of the non-profit organisation No Peace Without Justice, asserted that Poland’s action violates international law. He said: “Conditions under which somebody arrives have no impact on the rights that people have under international law under Article 3.1 of the Refugee Convention to seek asylum in a country. It’s often the case that asylum seekers are forced to arrive or enter a territory without authorisation because they’re fleeing for persecution.”
Thousands of migrants are camping in sub-zero temperatures at the Belarus-Poland border with the hope of entering the EU. Poland has deployed thousands of troops to the region to push them back. Human rights groups claim that at least 11 people have died at the border due to dire conditions.
Europe has accused Belarus of human trafficking and intentionally creating a migration crisis to retaliate against the sanctions imposed by the bloc over electoral fraud and human rights abuses. On the contrary, Belarus has accused Poland of victimising migrants who are merely exercising their right to seek asylum in the EU and denied all allegations pertaining to the migration crisis.
Tensions at Poland-Belarus Escalate After Poland Uses Tear Gas, Water Cannons on Migrants
Tensions between Poland and Belarus escalated after Polish border guards used water cannons and tear gas at migrants who tried to enter Europe and accused Belarus of stirring up the conflict.
November 17, 2021
IMAGE SOURCE: FRANCE 24