Poland - June 2024

Following the death of a Polish soldier who was stabbed by a migrant attempting to cross the border on 29 May, the government re-introduced a controversial ‘exclusion zone’, in force as of 13 June for 90 days. The decision creates a restricted area on the Polish side of the border, where only local residents and authorised uniformed officers may enter. Any other individuals, including journalists, must apply to a border guard for a pass to enter. The zone was introduced by the previous government in 2021 and has been heavily criticised by NGOs for impacts on press freedom and the provision of humanitarian aid. The government has stated that the buffer zone aims to hamper the operations of smuggling groups and has accused Belarusian authorities of orchestrating migration to put pressure on Poland.

Sources: Notes from Poland, DW, European Council on Refugees and Exiles, Fundacja Ocalenie