Under the premise that third countries often “instrumentalize” the migration to try to destabilize the European Unionthe European Commission opened the door this Wednesday so that countries that consider it can suspend the right to asylum for reasons of security.
“In exceptional situations, countries can limit asylum rights, but it must occur under strict conditions and with legal limits, be truly exceptional, temporal, proportionate and for clearly defined cases and always for security reasons,” said the vice president of the Commission for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen.
The Community Executive alleges that Russia y Belarus “They take advantage of people” and use them “without taking into account their vulnerable situation” as a kind of “political tool to destabilize our societies.” Brussels assures that these practices “undermine the unity of the EU and endanger the security and integrity” of the Union.
Although it is a simple communication, it is the first time that the Commission responds formally and positively to this request from the eastern flank countries. In particular, those bordering Russia and Belarus complain about the arrival of asylum seekers from third countries who cross their border irregularly.
Just one day before, on Tuesday, the NGO Human Rights Watch published a report in which he accused Poland of “illegally and often violently” returning asylum seekers on the border with Belarus. The organization has been able to document the cases of at least 17 people, including a minor.
Consequences for the entire region
Poland announced last October its intention to suspend the right to asylum, in response to the arrival of people, but other countries had previously flirted with the idea. “It is our right and our duty to protect the Polish and European border. Its security will not be negotiated. With anyone,” the Polish Prime Minister assured then. Donald Tusk. In an open letter, dozens of NGOs criticized the measure, warning of “the potential repercussions” for the region.
The decision, they warned, “undermines values such as solidarity, respect for human rights and dignity, the rule of law, social justice and the protection of refugees, values that make the European Union stronger, not weaker.” , facing the challenges”. With the Commission’s communication, the measure will, in fact, not only benefit Poland but also Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Norway.
Last October the European Council accused Russia and Belarus of “abusing” European values to try to destabilize “our democracies.” He also said then that “exceptional situations required appropriate measures.” The Commission is now only translating to the Community level a position that the Twenty-Seven already adopted, in the face of pressure from Poland.
The Commission also announced a aid package for those countries worth 170 million euros. This money should contribute to the affected countries being able to modernize your surveillance equipmentimprove telecommunications networks and respond, for example, to the drone raids in its territory.
