Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Poland of “unlawful” and “inhumane” actions at its border with Belarus, claiming the country engages in illegal pushbacks of migrants without assessing their risks.
The NGO’s recent report alleges that these practices endanger asylum seekers, particularly amid extreme winter conditions in the border region. However, critics argue that HRW’s accusations lack balance and fail to acknowledge Poland’s challenges in facing Belarus’s deliberate weaponization of migration.
Fabrice Leggeri, a former Frontex CEO and now an MEP with Patriots for Europe, dismissed the term “pushbacks” as political rhetoric rather than a legal concept. He called HRW’s stance “irresponsible,” highlighting the context of Belarus exploiting migrants as pawns against the EU. Leggeri noted similar instances involving Turkey in 2020 and accused NGOs of enabling these tactics by undermining border enforcement efforts in countries like Poland, Lithuania, and Greece.
HRW based its report on interviews with 22 asylum seekers, 17 of whom claimed they were denied entry at least once before being admitted to Poland. The organization also spoke with aid providers assisting migrants stranded in the Białowieża forest. Lydia Gall, HRW’s senior Europe researcher, called on Poland to allow asylum claims and grant aid workers access to restricted zones, urging the nation to “set an example” as it assumes the EU Council presidency in January.
Poland has faced ongoing scrutiny from EU institutions, including criticism from the European Council and referrals to the European Court of Human Rights over alleged violations of asylum rights. Article 19 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights prohibits collective expulsions and ensures no one is deported to a state where they might face inhumane treatment.
Critics of left-wing NGOs like HRW argue that their advocacy ignores the broader consequences of lax migration policies, often prioritizing ideology over practical border solutions. Leggeri emphasized this divide, noting how migration has shifted into a partisan battleground within the EU. His Patriots for Europe group recently proposed stricter migration controls, prioritizing border security, combating illegal crossings, and enforcing deportations for non-eligible asylum seekers.
As Poland grapples with pressure from both migrants and NGOs, the debate over its border policies underscores the growing divide between national sovereignty and supranational advocacy.
