The Poland-Belarus Border Crisis
Key Actors:
- Poland
- Belarus
- The European Union (EU)
- Migrants trying to cross into the EU through Belarus
Causes of the Border Crisis
The Poland-Belarus border crisis was started by a dispute between Belarus and the EU. Belarus forced a flight going from Greece to Lithuania to land in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. Belarusian authorities proceeded to arrest a well-known opposition activist and his girlfriend, who were both on the plane. The EU condemned these actions and demanded that Belarus release the two of them. When Belarus failed to do this, the EU put sanctions on Belarus and banned Belarus’s airlines from flying in Europe.
In retaliation for these sanctions, Belarus has made it easier to get a tourist visa and increased the number of flights from middle eastern countries to Belarus. Then, Belarus used travel agents in Middle Eastern countries to convince migrants to try and cross into the EU from Belarus. As a result, the number of migrants trying to do so has been increasing since the summer. Once these migrants reach Belarus, they are put in taxis or vans and driven to the EU border. Some migrants have tried to cross the Lithuania—Belarus border, but most migrants have tried to cross the Poland—Belarus border.
Poland’s Response
Poland has been pushing back migrants trying to cross the Poland-Belarus border. Poland’s government has taken measures like constructing a razor-wire fence at parts of the border and putting over a hundred towns along the border in a state of emergency. Poland has also blocked journalists from accessing the border.
This crisis has helped boost the Polish government’s popularity, both inside and outside Poland. Over 50% of Poles support their government’s decision to build a wall at the border, and their support rate has risen from 31% to 35%. Many countries have expressed their support for Poland in this crisis, which has helped Poland’s international reputation as well.
Consequences for the Migrants
Many migrants have ended up stranded at the border because of Poland and Belarus’s actions. The Belarusian border guards often force migrants to keep trying to cross the border if they get pushed back by Poland. Poland claims that the Belarus border guards don’t let these migrants leave the border zone. Belarus claims that the Belarusian government is trying to take these migrants back to their home countries, but they refuse to leave. There have been many reports of Belarusian border guards beating migrants, and many of the stranded migrants don’t have access to basic needs like shelter or water. There have been 13 reported deaths so far at the Poland–Belarus border.
International Response
The EU has called this a “hybrid attack” by Belarus, criticising Belarus for inviting the migrants and increasing their sanctions in mid-November. On the other hand, many European leaders have offered their support to Poland during this crisis—Britain and the U.S. have offered military support.
“Die Here or Go to Poland”: Belarus’ and Poland’s Shared Responsibility for Border Abuses. Human Rights Watch, 24 Nov. 2021. Human Rights Watch, https://www.hrw.org/report/2021/11/24/die-here-or-go-poland/belarus-and-polands-shared-responsibility-border-abuses.
“Belarus Border Crisis: How Are Migrants Getting There?” BBC News, 26 Nov. 2021. www.bbc.com, https://www.bbc.com/news/59233244 .
“Poland Border Crisis: EU to Widen Belarus Sanctions as Row Intensifies.” BBC News, 15 Nov. 2021. www.bbc.com, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59289998 .
Kranz, Michal. “How the Belarus Crisis Boosted Poland’s Ruling Party.” Foreign Policy, https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/11/26/belarus-poland-border-migrants-refugees-pis-law-justice-eu-brussels/ . Accessed 30 Nov. 2021.
News, A. B. C. “EU Imposes Sanctions on Belarus over ‘hijacked’ Ryanair Flight.” ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/International/eu-imposes-sanctions-belarus-hijacked-ryanair-flight/story?id=77882022 . Accessed 30 Nov. 2021.
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