Poland suspends asylum rights for migrants at Belarus border

Poland has enacted a temporary ban on asylum claims for migrants crossing from Belarus, lasting 60 days, as part of efforts to bolster national security amid a surge in migration attributed to pressure from Russia. Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that the law allows for immediate suspension of asylum rights, with exceptions for vulnerable groups such as unaccompanied minors and the elderly. The Polish government claims the move is necessary to counter organized crossings that threaten the nation's borders. This decision has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, which argue it violates international obligations regarding asylum. The legislation is seen as a response to a perceived hybrid warfare strategy employed by Belarus and Russia to destabilize the EU. President Andrzej Duda, while initially hesitant, ultimately supported the bill, emphasizing the need to secure Polish borders against migration flows.