Reaction of international community, media representatives and experts to situation with migrants on Belarusian-Polish border

10 ноября 2021
Reaction of international community, media representatives and experts to situation with migrants on Belarusian-Polish border

Having shut itself off from the public, Poland continues to strengthen its military contingent on the border with Belarus.  The whole army of security forces has been thrown against women and children: apart from border guards and police, up to 15 thousand military personnel have already been deployed there. Helicopters are circling in the air and tanks are at the ready. What is that if not an open act of intimidation. Who do they want to frighten? Or is this just another tactical move by Poland to its European-American allies, to once again bargain for bonuses? The analysts are speculating on this.

According to Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General,  the UN Children’s Fund is deeply concerned about the dire situation by the asylum-seeking children in Europe and at its borders. UNICEF said that reports of children living in appalling conditions, being pushed back or detained at the eastern borders of the European Union are shocking and a direct violation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

An unfortunate and shameful symbolism: thousands of refugees await their fate at the barbed wire fence on Berlin Wall Fall Day. To commemorate the date of the end of the Cold War, German human rights activists headed to the eastern Polish frontier. They wanted to deliver humanitarian aid to the refugees and even take some of them back to Germany.

Tareq Alaows, activist of the civil society organization Seebrücke Deutschland:
“I wouldn't be surprised if we weren't allowed to rescue migrants. This is an example of the isolation and cruel asylum policies that have prevailed in Europe for years. But this is an opportunity for Angela Merkel to send a humanitarian signal at the end of her reign."

Alas, it did - the Polish security forces detained the humanitarian bus and turned it back. Instead of humanitarian aid, refugees were "treated" with pepper gas.

Maria Zakharova, official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry:

"Some kind of chemicals were apparently sprayed in people's faces. On what grounds? These are not criminals, these are people whose crime has not been recorded in any way. The Belarusian side confirms the legality of their presence. They do not hide their intentions; these intentions are humanitarian in nature. May be the EU countries in general or Brussels do not know what documents regulate their situation, and what international legal basis could or should be applied in this case, and what could be relied upon. Here I will list, if they have such a problem, if they don't know, I can help, please. Asylum is guaranteed by the EU Charter. Let me remind you that Belarus is not a EU member, but Poland, Lithuania and all those countries that yesterday spoke on this subject are members of the EU."

In violation of the Charter, Poland insists on their return back to their homeland.