Border checks between Poland and Germany to last an additional two months expanded
In the heart of Europe, Poland has taken decisive action to curb illegal migration and strengthen internal security. The country has extended temporary border controls with Germany and Lithuania until at least October 4, 2025, as the current migration issues between Poland, Lithuania, Germany, and Belarus continue to unfold.
The migration pressure at the Poland-Belarus border is described as a "hybrid threat" by Polish officials, indicating that it is deliberately orchestrated by Belarus to destabilize the EU. As a result, Poland has fortified its border with a 186-kilometer wall equipped with surveillance technology and deployed thousands of troops and police to prevent illegal crossings.
In addition to the fortified border, Poland has temporarily suspended the right to apply for asylum for individuals crossing from Belarus. This move is part of a coordinated response with Lithuania and Latvia on border management.
At the Poland-Germany and Poland-Lithuania borders, temporary border controls have been reinstated and extended. These measures aim to combat irregular migration effectively, despite being within the Schengen Area where such controls were previously abolished.
Germany, too, has taken measures to manage migrant deportations, setting up facilities such as a repatriation terminal at Munich Airport. The country is also engaged in cooperative EU asylum rule discussions.
European Union institutions have tolerated some of these exceptional measures, acknowledging the severity of the threat from Belarus while emphasizing the necessity to balance security with respect for fundamental rights such as non-refoulement and access to asylum.
Polish officials estimate that hundreds of migrants, mainly from the Middle East, are crossing into the Baltic states every month from ex-Soviet Belarus. However, the increased checks and barriers on Poland's border with Russia and Belarus have stopped irregular migrants from transiting through those countries.
According to reports, border guards checked over 493,000 people crossing the borders with Germany and Lithuania between July 7th and August 2nd. It is fundamental to close the route being used by migrants through the Baltic states of Latvia and Lithuania and then across Poland to Germany.
Polish authorities have stated that their European partners understand the decisions made, as they aim to close the migration route through Lithuania and Latvia. The ongoing situation involves coordinated yet stringent responses to a politically motivated influx of migrants at the Belarusian border, with sustained cooperation across national and EU levels to manage security and human rights challenges.
As the migration and border control situation evolves, it is clear that Europe continues to grapple with the complexities of managing migration while upholding fundamental rights. The ongoing crisis serves as a reminder of the delicate balance required to ensure both security and respect for human rights.
References: 1. BBC News 2. The Guardian 3. Reuters 4. Politico 5. Euroactive
- The ongoing migration crisis at the Poland-Belarus border, deemed a "hybrid threat" by Polish officials, has led to politically charged actions, such as the fortification of the border with a 186-kilometer wall and the temporary suspension of asylum rights for individuals crossing from Belarus.
- Amidst these measures, European Union institutions have engaged in cooperative discussions to balance security with respect for fundamental rights, acknowledging the severity of the threat while stressing the importance of upholding principles like non-refoulement and access to asylum.
