Poland proposes stricter EU asylum rules for organized border crossings

Poland is proposing stricter asylum rules to the European Union, aiming to deny international protection to individuals who cross borders illegally in organized groups, use violence, or destroy border infrastructure. Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration Maciej Duszczyk stated that the initiative is intended to address the realities of hybrid warfare, specifically citing the pressure exerted at the Polish-Belarusian border since 2021.

The proposal seeks a specific interpretation of Article 33, paragraph 2 of the Geneva Convention. While this article already allows exceptions to the principle of non-refoulement for individuals deemed a threat to national security or those convicted of serious crimes, Poland wants these provisions to explicitly cover organized and aggressive attempts to force border crossings.

The matter is expected to be discussed during the European Council meeting scheduled for October 15–16, following discussions among EU interior ministers. The initiative follows recent migration tensions in locations such as Ceuta and aims to ensure that humanitarian protection is not used to facilitate violence against border officials or infrastructure.