Poland Enacts Law Restricting Asylum Rights at Belarus Border

Poland has implemented a new law that temporarily restricts the right to seek asylum at its border with Belarus. Effective Thursday, March 27, 2025, asylum applications will only be accepted in exceptional cases at the Polish-Belarusian border. This measure, initially valid for 60 days with a possible extension, is a result of a legal amendment signed by President Andrzej Duda. Exceptions include unaccompanied minors, pregnant women, and individuals requiring special care due to age or health. The border guard will also consider applications from those who can clearly demonstrate a risk of serious harm in their country of origin. The Tusk government defends the measure as part of its "Eastern Shield" project, aimed at protecting Poland from both military threats and migration allegedly controlled by Moscow and Minsk. Critics, including human rights organizations, argue that the law violates international human rights conventions and the Polish constitution.