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Warsaw — Poland builds a fence along the Belarusian border, stopping the flow of illegal immigrants, the European Union says, on Monday when Defense Minister is being promoted by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in retaliation for EU sanctions Said.
Poland and EU member states Lithuania and Latvia report a surge in illegal immigrants from countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan trying to cross the border. The EU states that Lukashenko is putting pressure on the block by waging a “hybrid war” with migrants.
“New 2.5 meters-[8.2-foot]-A high and solid fence will be built on the border with Belarus, “Poland Defense Minister Marius Brassack wrote on Twitter. “More soldiers [also] Involved in supporting border guards. “
The Polish government has been sharply criticized by human rights advocates for the plight of a group of illegal immigrants trapped between Polish and Belarusian border guards near the village of Uznazh Gruny for two weeks.
Poland says allowing immigrants to enter Polish territory would encourage further illegal immigrants and fall into the hands of Lukashenko. “These are not refugees, but economic migrants brought by the Belarusian government,” Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz told reporters.
However, some lawyers and NGOs have accused Warsaw of treating stranded migrants inhumanely by blocking their entry.
The Polish human rights ombudsman said it violated the Geneva Convention because the border guards did not accept verbal declarations from some illegal immigrants who wanted to apply for international protection in Poland.
The Polish Border Guard did not immediately respond to the request for comment.
Lithuania said on Monday that it would complete a 508-kilometer (315-mile) fence along the Belarusian border by September next year.
Lukashenko said EU sanctions imposed after the fight in last year’s presidential election and subsequent crackdowns on opposition and opposition will not prevent illegal immigrants.
By Alan Charlish and Pawel Florkiewicz
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