Image Credit, Grumpy Beere
A coalition of 107 organizations from across Europe has united to condemn Poland’s recently announced Migration Strategy, calling for the protection of fundamental human rights amidst growing concerns. The strategy, titled “Poland’s Migration Strategy for 2025-2030. Regain Control. Ensure Security,” raises the possibility of suspending asylum access in certain regions, a move that rights groups argue contradicts the principles of human dignity, the rule of law, and European solidarity.
On October 15, 2024, the Polish government unveiled this migration strategy, introducing a measure that could restrict access to asylum procedures within specific areas or during particular periods. Human rights groups, alarmed by this shift, warn that such policies endanger Europe’s commitment to international standards for refugee protection. Representatives of Polish and European non-governmental organizations (NGOs) expressed particular concern that the strategy lacks contributions from civil society, which they argue would have brought a balanced and humane approach to migration.
“We call on the Polish government to respect its legal obligations and consult meaningfully with civil society,” reads the statement from the coalition, led by groups including the Norwegian Refugee Council. The statement emphasizes that Europe’s legacy, shaped by past conflicts and humanitarian crises, underpins current international and European legal standards that enshrine the right to seek asylum—a right protected by treaties such as the 1951 Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights. The principle of non-refoulement, a fundamental tenet of refugee law, prohibits the return of individuals to places where they face grave danger, underscoring Europe’s commitment to uphold these rights.
This policy decision has provoked concern among Polish citizens and civil rights advocates, who point to Poland’s own constitution and international obligations. As the coalition notes, Article 56 of the Polish Constitution explicitly protects the right to asylum, a commitment reinforced by various European legal instruments. Advocates warn that suspending access to asylum would represent a severe breach of these obligations and a step away from the core values that unite Europe.
However, despite these concerns, the Polish government has yet to respond directly to civil society’s objections or invite them to participate in policy discussions. This lack of engagement, say advocates, has left Poland’s migration strategy lacking in essential insights from organizations that have long worked on the ground to support both migrants and local communities.
In a significant gesture of solidarity, the coalition is calling upon other EU member states and European institutions to reaffirm their commitment to the right to seek asylum and protect refugees. “National security and refugee protection can coexist,” the coalition asserts, adding that true security is rooted in adherence to law and the universal protection of human rights.
As Poland approaches this crossroads, advocates stress that values of compassion, legal obligation, and the shared experiences of Europe’s past must guide its policy. They urge the government to reconsider, emphasizing that suspending human rights undermines the very stability and resilience that Europe seeks to maintain. Their call to action underscores that the right to seek asylum—and the protection of the most vulnerable—are not only essential for refugees but are fundamental to the health of European society itself.
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