Poland’s new anti-asylum law sparks backlash amid muted EU response

Poland’s new asylum law faces backlash over human rights violations as the EU remains largely silent

WARSAW (MNTV) – Poland has enacted a controversial law suspending the right of migrants crossing its border with Belarus to seek asylum, drawing criticism from human rights organizations and legal experts. 

Signed into law by President Andrzej Duda, the measure empowers the government to halt asylum applications for up to 60 days in cases of “instrumentalisation of migration.” 

This term refers to a country’s alleged use of migrants to pressure or destabilize another nation.

The legislation, passed earlier by the Sejm (Poland’s lower house of parliament), has sparked accusations of breaching international law, including the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.

Experts, including the Polish human rights ombudsman, Amnesty International, and the UNHCR, argue it violates Poland’s constitution and human rights obligations.

While the law exempts vulnerable groups—such as unaccompanied minors, pregnant women, and those facing severe harm—migrant advocates fear these exceptions may not be consistently upheld. 

Belarus has been accused of using migrants as political tools since 2021, allegedly luring them with false promises of EU entry and facilitating their journey to borders with Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania. 

The EU initially criticized Poland’s move, emphasizing member states’ obligation to provide asylum access. 

However, recent EU guidelines allow measures interfering with asylum rights under stringent conditions, signaling a shift toward stricter migration policies across Europe.

Poland’s legislation mirrors similar actions by other EU nations. Finland, Latvia, and Lithuania have all enacted laws enabling push backs or asylum denials at their borders, often citing national security concerns.

As tensions over migration grow, the EU faces scrutiny for balancing national sovereignty with its commitment to human rights.