Geneva/New York: The Belarus – Poland border has become the new flashpoint with European Union accusing Minsk of pushing migrants across the border. UNICEF too said that reports of children living in appalling conditions, being pushed back or detained at the eastern borders of the European Union are shocking and a direct violation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“Several people have already died over the past few months – governments in the region cannot stand by and allow more lives to be lost. States have an obligation to protect the right to life. These hundreds of men, women and children must not be forced to spend another night in freezing weather without adequate shelter, food, water and medical care,”UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet stated in Geneva today.
On Monday November 8, 2021, news footage of migrants on the border attempting to dodge teargas and make their way through razor wire became viral, but already there have been many tragic deaths recorded at the border area in the last few months amidst the onset of winter temperatures.
Reports had surfaced of a large group of migrants and refugees, among them women and children, on the Belarusian side of the border moving towards the international border crossing with Poland — named “Bruzgi”. They allegedly settled in a makeshift camp in the vicinity of the border overnight.
Bachelet said that she was appalled that large numbers of migrants and refugees continued to be left in a desperate situation in near-freezing temperatures at the Belarus-Poland border. She urged the States involved to take immediate steps to de-escalate and resolve this intolerable situation in line with their obligations under international human rights law and refugee law.
The strong security-focused and politically charged responses on both sides – including through the increased deployment of troops – and accompanying inflammatory rhetoric, serve only to exacerbate the vulnerability and risks that migrants and refugees face, she stressed.
The United Nations Secretary-General Antònio Guterres is also following with concern the situation at the Belarus-Poland border, and he reiterated the importance of ensuring that migration and refugee issues are dealt with according to humanitarian principles and international law. Such situations should not be used for political purposes and become a cause of tension between States, Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said today in New York.
Under international law, no one should ever be prevented from seeking asylum or other forms of international human rights protection, and individual consideration must be given to their protection needs.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), along with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), stated they were alarmed by the latest reports from the Belarus-Poland border and reminded States of the imperative to prevent further loss of life and ensure the humane treatment of migrants and refugees as the highest priority.
The two organizations have publicly stated on several occasions that the instrumentalization of migrants and refugees to achieve political ends is deplorable and must stop. Taking advantage of the despair and vulnerability of migrants and refugees by offering them unrealistic and misleading promises is unacceptable and has severe human consequences.
The two organizations stated they have repeatedly reiterated to the Belarusian authorities the need to preserve the well-being of people and avoid creating difficult humanitarian situations.
Incidentally, some Polish citizens have even suggested constructing a wall will help the situation in a Polish border. In New York, Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General said while every country has the right and responsibility to protect its borders, “that does not mean that it absolves them of the rights and responsibility to observe international law, especially when it comes to refugees, and to treat people with respect and dignity”.
UNHCR and IOM stated jointly they were ready to support the authorities of Belarus in providing counseling and assess these people’s personal situation, in appropriate locations, away from the border areas.
“In view of the alarming situation at the border, both sides must uphold their obligations under international law and guarantee the safety, dignity, and protection of the rights of people stranded at the border,” the joint statement said.
Both agencies have also urged the concerned authorities to explore all humanitarian options to respond to this situation, tailored to the individual circumstances, human rights and international protection needs of people in this group, including voluntary returns. While they claimed they stand ready to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants and refugees at both sides of the border, the UN agencies reminded States that it is “imperative to prevent further loss of life” and to treat migrants and refugees humanely, “as the highest priority”.
Both agencies stated they were in contact with both governments. The called for an urgent resolution of the situation and immediate and unhindered access to the group to ensure that humanitarian assistance is provided, those in need of international or other forms of protection are identified and those who wish to apply for asylum can do so where they are.
– global bihari bureau
