Strasbourg warns Warsaw, respect migrants' rights

(ANSA) - STRASBOURG, 24 LUG - Poland must end the pushbacks of migrants to Belarus and not approve the law currently under discussion in the Senate, which proposes to exempt some law enforcement officers stationed in border areas from criminal liability if, under certain conditions and in emergency situations, they use force or firearms in violation of existing regulations. This call comes from the Council of Europe's Human Rights Commissioner, Michael O'Flaherty, in two letters sent to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Senate Marshal Malgorzata Kidawa-Blonska.
    The Commissioner expressed "concern about the ongoing practice of summary repatriations of people at the border with Belarus, contrary to Poland's obligations under international human rights law," and urges the authorities to "ensure that all laws and practices related to the situation at this border comply with the Council of Europe's human rights standards." There are also reservations about the law concerning law enforcement officers, which, according to O'Flaherty, "if adopted, could create a legal and political framework that disincentivizes officers deployed in border areas or other situations covered by the text from acting in accordance with the rules on proportionality in the use of force and firearms." (ANSA).