Migration Crisis on the Polish-Belarusian Border (2021-2022) From a Humanitarian and Human Rights Perspective

Abstract

The aim of this article is an attempt to answer the questions: how should Poland's policy towards the crisis on the border with Belarus be assessed from the humanitarian and human rights perspective? How should a country, in this case Poland, behave towards those crossing the border of that country, in a situation of deceitful importation and the subsequent use of innocent immigrants/ refugees as tools for hostile actions against a neighboring state by the authoritarian regime of Belarus? The article also attempts to answer a question about the challenges faced by non-governmental organisations and the important role they play in a situation where state policy is at variance with international law and basic ethical principles whereby human rights are violated. The analysis of the situation on the Polish-Belarusian border, based on the assumption that each state has a duty to protect its border, but at the same time it has a duty to protect human life and to make sure that the law is respected on that border, allows for the conclusion that Polish policy is in conflict with international law and basic ethical principles. The article also shows the challenges faced by civic organisations and the very important role that civic organisations play in this situation.