Belarus: thousands of migrants on the Polish border, Minsk singled out

Migrants from Middle Eastern countries, among others, gather at the Polish-Belarusian border near de Grdono, Belarusian side, on November 8, 2021. AP - Leonid Shcheglov

Text by: RFI Follow

5 mins

Poland does not hide its concern at the massive arrival of migrants at its border with Belarus.

On Monday, November 8, several hundred refugees gathered along the border, facing the soldiers deployed to prevent them from crossing.

Warsaw accuses Belarusian authorities of using these migrants to put pressure on the EU, which is preparing sanctions against Minsk.

Washington also called on Belarus on Monday to stop " 

manipulating 

" the flow of migrants to Europe.

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This massive entry of migrants into Poland in recent hours was expected, reports our special envoy to Poland,

Romain Lemaresquier

.

For nearly 24 hours, the rumor had run about such an eventuality.

This threat materialized on Monday: hundreds of migrants, mainly Kurds according to Belarusian opposition media, gathered at several points on the Polish border.

“ 

A massive attempt to cross the border.

 These are the terms used by the Polish government to denounce the operation orchestrated by Belarus, underlines

Daniel Vallot

, of the international service of RFI.

According to Warsaw, several hundred migrants have gathered at the border at the instigation of the Belarusian authorities.

On social networks, many videos show these groups of migrants facing the Polish soldiers.

Belarusian border guards have confirmed that a large number of these refugees are moving along the border.

► 

To read also: Poland sends a reinforcement of soldiers to the border with Belarus

Passage in force

At present, it seems that these migrants have not managed to get through.

It must be said that the Polish authorities have deployed massively soldiers, gendarmes and police in the so-called forbidden zone.

An area that stretches across the border with the two countries over a width of two to three kilometers.

Poland accuses Belarusian security forces of strictly controlling these movements, and of using these migrants as a means of pressure against the European Union and the sanctions against Alexander Lukashenko.

According to the Polish press, at least ten refugees have died in recent weeks trying to cross the border between the two countries.

The tension is very high and Warsaw does not seem ready to give in.

It is a real tragedy for these migrants caught in a vice.

Migrants who for the most part suffered from the worst atrocities in their country.

A forced passage could be attempted.

What makes fear the worst, according to NGOs present on the spot.

Warsaw says it is ready for all eventualities according to the Deputy Minister of the Interior.

The Polish government also convened its crisis cabinet on Monday, proof that the tension is at its height.

The executive has decided to close the border to all vehicles as of Tuesday morning.

 To listen: Trapped between Poland and Belarus, migrants tell of surviving crossfire

"Sanction the airlines of third countries"

For her part, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Monday called on member states to approve new sanctions against Belarusian authorities. " 

The instrumentalization of migrants for political purposes is unacceptable,

 " she denounced. Besides an extension of the sanctions against Minsk, she indicates that the EU " 

will examine how to sanction the airlines of third countries

 " which bring migrants to Belarus.

We will not hesitate to adopt sanctions if necessary against the companies and the countries which play the game of the smugglers

, had warned in mid-October, the head of the diplomacy of the EU, Josep Borrell. 

The migrants are provided with visas, plane tickets and a device is ready to transport them to Minsk from where they are transported to the borders of Lithuania, Latvia and Poland. The road to Iraq was closed this summer, but other roads have been opened.

 "

The Vice-President of the Commission, Margaritis Schinas, will visit “ 

in the coming days to the main countries of origin and transit to ensure that they act to prevent their own nationals from falling into the trap set by the Belarusian authorities,

 ”said the press release from Brussels.

To put an end to the illegal crossings of migrants in Belarus, the EU is preparing “ 

stronger economic sanctions

 ” against Minsk.

The first economic sanctions adopted at the end of June hit the key sectors of potash, oil and tobacco.

Individual EU sanctions against Belarusian regime officials currently target 166 people, including President Lukashenko and two of his sons. 

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To read also: Von der Leyen does not want "barbed wire or wall" at the borders of the EU

"Manipulation" and "hybrid tactics"

The United States, for their part, " 

strongly condemned the political exploitation and manipulation of vulnerable people by the regime of [Alexander] Lukashenko,

 " said spokesman for American diplomacy, Ned Price.

He described as " 

disturbing 

" the images and information emanating from the border between Belarus and Poland.

We urge the regime to immediately stop manipulating the flow of migrants crossing its borders to Europe,

 " insisted the spokesperson for the State Department.

A few hours earlier, NATO denounced the “ 

hybrid tactics

 ” of the Lukashenko regime and condemned the instrumentalization of these migrants by Belarus.

The Atlantic Alliance assures us that it is watching with great attention the situation and its development on the borders of three of its member countries: Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. 

► 

To listen: International report: The influx of migrants through Belarus and Poland embarrasses Germany

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  • Belarus

  • Poland

  • International Migration

  • European Union

  • United States

  • Ursula von der Leyen

  • Nato