Migrant Group Stuck At Poland-Belarus Border
Faizan Hashmi Published May 30, 2023 | 08:30 AM
Warsaw, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th May, 2023 ) :A group of migrants, including women and children, are stuck on Poland's border with Belarus, Poland's border guard said Monday as activists accused the officers of blocking them from seeking asylum.
The group has been forced to camp for four days in the forest near Bialowieza, at the border fence erected by Warsaw to prevent irregular crossings.
In a statement sent to AFP, the Polish border guard said the group of "around 20-30 people" was "outside the jurisdiction" of Poland.
"Therefore any administrative activities, including the possible acceptance of an application for international protection, if the intention of these people is to obtain protection in Poland, is not possible," it added.
According to the activists, the group at the border includes people from Syria, Iraq, and Congo, with 11 children.
"They're certainly very tired, stressed... as they're in a very difficult and uncertain situation," activist Ola Chrzanowska told AFP.
The activists said they had sought to raise the group's spirits and had devised games for the children.
"They can see and feel that they're being treated like human beings, that they matter to someone.
That not everyone is indifferent to their fate," Chrzanowska said.
The rights body Grupa Granica claimed that the migrants, despite not having crossed the fence, had already entered Polish territory.
They also warned the migrants were not allowed back into Belarus, with the country's border guards threatening them with dogs, and claimed at least two people had been beaten or injured by officers on the Belarus side.
Chrzanowska said that on Monday, activists filed a request with the European Court of Human Rights for "interim measures" requiring Poland to receive the group's asylum requests.
The Polish border guard -- which has supplied water, food and medication to the migrants -- said it asked the Belarusian side to support the group, but the calls went unanswered.
"They only sent a person documenting the whole situation, certainly to use it for their own propaganda," the statement said.
On Saturday, Poland's deputy ombudsman intervened, issuing an "urgent request for information" about the status of the migrants.
Recent Stories
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
UAF celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day
Mirpur Police arrest 68 suspects of food outlet attack
Ecuador mayor killed ahead of anti-crime referendum: police
Flooding on Chitral-Peshawar Highway strands travelers
Bilawal Bhutto demands govt to hold tripartite dialogue to curb terrorism
Punjab ombudsman facilitates over 1.36 crore payment to victims
Croatia top court bars president from becoming next PM
Leghari seeks KP Govt’s cooperation in anti-power theft campaign
Sehwan Development Authority's staff protests against non-payment of salaries
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
13 hours ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
4 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
5 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
5 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
8 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
11 days ago
-
DC, DPO Haripur inspect bus terminals to review fares compliance
12 days ago -
Second phase of refugees’ repatriation to start after Eidul Fitr vacations
13 days ago -
Reaping bounties as Ramazan culminates
13 days ago -
Digital transformation – a boon or bane
13 days ago -
Plants’ business: Another casualty of climate change
15 days ago -
Eid shoppers prioritize children’s joy over personal comforts
15 days ago